Why Are Airport User Charges Still So High Despite Massive Revenues?

BT Infrastructure Summit 2026 | Why do airport user charges remain high even as airport operators earn billions from hotels, restaurants and commercial real estate? In this engaging discussion, Siddharth Zarabi raises the question every air traveller wants answered. Responding to him, Vinayak Chatterjee, Founder & Managing Trustee of The Infravision Foundation, explains how India's airport Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models are designed to ensure investors earn a reasonable return while sharing revenue with the government. He breaks down the concepts of single-till and double-till models, explains why non-aeronautical revenues don't always translate into lower passenger charges, and highlights how PPP structures continue to evolve. Watch this insightful conversation to understand the economics behind India's modern airports and why your airport bill remains high.