The civil aviation ministry has decided to charge higher aviation security fee (ASF) from domestic as well as international passengers from September 1, government officials said on Thursday.

Making air travel slightly costlier, the officials said the ASF for domestic flyers will be increased to Rs 160 from Rs 150 starting next month while international passengers will pay $5.2 instead of $4.85.

Airlines collect ASF from passengers when they book their tickets and then give it to the government. The fee is used to fund the security arrangement at airports across the country.

The ministry had increased the fee last year, too.

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