Passengers To Pay Higher Aviation Security Fee (ASF) From September 1

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has decided to increase the Aviation Security Fee (ASF) from domestic as well as international travelers from September 1, a senior government officials said on Thursday.

The higher ASF will make the air travel slightly costlier, the officials said

• ASF for Domestic Passengers are going to be increased to ₹160 from ₹150 from September 1
• International Flyers will pay $5.2 instead of $4.85 as the ASF from September 1.

Airlines collect the ASF from passengers when they book their tickets then pay it to the govt. The ASF is used to fund the safety arrangement at airports across the country.

The ministry had increased the ASF last year too.

On June 7, 2019, the ministry said domestic passengers would be charged Rs 150 instead of Rs 130 as the ASF and international passengers would be charged $4.85 instead of $3.25 as the ASF from July 1, 2019.

The aviation sector has been significantly impacted because of the travel restrictions imposed in India and other countries in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

All airlines in India have taken cost-cutting measures like pay cuts, leave-without-pay, and firings of employees in order to conserve cash.

After a gap of two months because of the coronavirus-triggered lockdown, India resumed domestic passenger flights on May 25. However, the typical occupancy rate in Indian domestic flights has been around just 50-60 percent since May 25.

Scheduled international passenger flights still remain suspended in India since March 23 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, special international flights are operating with the approval of the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

(Source: PTI News)

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