Air Travel to Get Costlier as Govt Announces Hike in Security Fee

The Aviation Security Fee (ASF) has been raised from Rs 130 to Rs 150 per Indian passenger from 1 July onwards.

A file photo of an Air India aircraft outside the domestic departure terminal of the Mumbai airport. Image used for representational purposes.

(Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)

Travelling by air is set to get costlier for fliers in India as the Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to raise the Aviation Security Fee (ASF) from Rs 130 to Rs 150 for Indian passengers from 1 July onwards, according to an official document.

RS 20 HIKE FOR INDIAN PASSENGERS, $1.6 HIKE FOR INTERNATIONAL FLYERS

For international passengers, the ASF will be increased from 3.25 USD to 4.85 USD from next month, the document stated.

"The ASF for domestic passengers will be levied at the rate of Rs 150 per embarking passenger," said an Ministry of Civil Aviation order dated 7 June 2019.

"The ASF for international passengers will be levied at the rate of USD 4.85 or equivalent Indian rupees per embarking passenger," the order added.

ASF WILL REPLACE PSF (SC)

The ASF will be replacing the PSF (SC), which stands of Passenger Service Fee (Security Component).

"The above rates of the ASF will be applicable with effect from 00.01 Hrs of 01.07.2019 and will replace the PSF (SC) which was being charged so far at the rate of Rs 130 per embarking passenger for tickets issued against Indian Rupees and USD 3.25 per embarking passenger for tickets issued against foreign currency," the order stated.

WHY THE HIKE

According to a PTI report of March, over Rs 600 crore was due to Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for guarding airports. The CISF guards 61 airports across the country.

While the cost of providing security has been increased, the levy collected from passengers is not sufficient to meet the shortfall since the passenger service fee has remained unchanged since 2001.

(With inputs from PTI)