New Delhi, July 14 -- Airports recover the costs of building new infrastructure, such as terminals and runways, from passengers and airlines even before the development is operational. India's airport tariff regulator, the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Aera), wants to change this practice. Mint breaks down the proposal and its implications:

Airports recover their investment through the user development fee (UDF), paid by passengers and through other charges, such as landing and parking fees, paid by airlines. Airlines usually pass these costs on to consumers in ticket prices.

Aera's proposal does not change this process. It changes only one thing: large infrastructure projects would be included in airport tariffs only...