Following uproar against the user development fee (UDF), the GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL) board has decided to spare domestic passengers from paying any development fee, with a rider, for now.
Briefing media, Kiran Kumar Grandhi, chairman airports GMR Group said that the company board has decided to finalise the UDF for domestic passengers only after consulting the users and stakeholders. However, the board has decided to charge $25 per ticket for all departing international passengers, he added.
When asked about the impact of the decision, Grandhi said that it will be ?substantial? but refused to reveal in absolute figures. ?I can only say it (the decision) has significant impact on the revenue,? he clarified. He added that about a million passengers travel to international destinations from Hyderabad.
Besides, the board has also decided to maintain all the charges including landing, parking and passenger service fee similar to that of the present Begumpet Airport. Grandhi said that though the company is empowered to increase charges, the board has decided against it.
The new airport, christened Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, which is about 25 km south of Hyderabad is being connected with wide roads from Secunderabad, Begumpet, Hitech City and Jubilee Hills. There will be about 30 air-conditioned buses, 700 GPS enabled taxies and 100 executive car rentals to transport passengers from 15 designated locations, Grandhi said.
Besides the road connectivity, the company has also proposed speed train connectivity between new and existing airport. Grandhi said that the company along with Delhi Metro had submitted the detailed study report including financial indicators. ?It is for the central and state governments to decide on the project,? he said.