Why Ola & Uber rides are now 40% costlier at IGI Airport – Key reasons every Delhi traveler must know

IGI Airport:?Ola and Uber rides from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport have become about 40% more expensive. This is due to a sharp hike in the airport pickup fee by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL). The new fee is Rs 245 plus 18% GST, totaling Rs 289. It is added automatically to the cab fare.

This fee applies to all app-based cab trips from the airport’s three terminals. Around 400,000 trips are affected every month. As a result, IGI now has one of the highest cab pickup charges in India. The fee is part of the airport’s non-aeronautical revenue. It does not need approval from any regulator.?

?The hike comes from Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which manages the airport. Ola and Uber do not get this extra money. It goes to the airport operator as a “collection fee.”

Uber has stated that its base fares have not changed. The increase is only because of the updated pickup fee by the airport. However, there has been no improvement in passenger services. This hike puts extra financial pressure on travelers using app-based cabs from IGI Airport.

?The hike affects about 400,000 trips each month. These make up nearly 70% of all commercial vehicle movements from IGI. With BluSmart’s EV services now suspended at the airport, more people are depending on Ola and Uber, increasing the fee’s impact on passengers.

This makes IGI’s pickup charge one of the highest in India. In some cases, the pickup fee and tolls together make up around 50% of the total fare. Importantly, none of this money goes to the driver or the cab companies—it all goes to the airport operator. There have been no improvements in passenger services, which has led to criticism.?

Similar fare hikes have been seen at other airports too. For example, Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport also raised its pickup fees last year.?

What do Uber and Ola say??

Uber has clarified that it has not increased its base fare. The extra amount is only due to the new airport fee. If you’re booking a cab from IGI Airport, be ready to pay Rs 289 extra just as a pick-up fee, apart from your ride fare.