Aviation security fee revision could push up airfares

Starting July 1, passengers will be charged an aviation security fee of Rs 150, as opposed to the current Rs 130 for domestic flights, and $4.85 as compared to the current $3.25 for international flights. 

Air travel is likely to get costlier, with the government revising the aviation security fee. Starting July 1, passengers will be charged an aviation security fee of Rs 150, as opposed to the current Rs 130 for domestic flights, and $4.85 as compared to the current $3.25 for international flights. 

The amount is collected by airlines and is included in the ticket price. The levy is used for meeting security expenses at airports. The civil aviation ministry issued an order to notify the revision in the security fee, on Friday.

The fee has been hiked by Rs 20 for domestic travel to plug the funding gap and clear pending security dues at 56 airports. 

According to a PTI report in March, over Rs 600 crore was due to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for guarding of these airports. The CISF, which is a paramilitary force under the home ministry, guards 61 airports across the country and has deployed 61 airports for the task.

The passenger service fee amount has remained unchanged since 2001 and a decision was taken last year to increase the fee to bridge the funding gap. While the cost of providing security increased the levy collected from passengers, it was not sufficient to meet the shortfall.

Photograph: Reuters.