Dibrugarh, Assam: The Airports Authority of India (AAI)-managed Dibrugarh Airport has clarified an important point regarding vehicle entry for passenger pick-up and drop-off. Vehicles entering the airport premises specifically to pick up or drop off passengers will not be charged a parking fee if they complete the process within the permitted six-minute period.
The clarification, shared by Dibrugarh Airport on September 24, 2026, also states that a ₹20 charge applies after the stipulated six-minute period. The clarification is relevant for private vehicles, family members and other motorists who enter the airport briefly to collect or drop passengers.
Six-minute pick-up and drop-off period is free
The main point of the airport’s clarification is straightforward: the six-minute pick-up and drop-off window is free of charge.
According to the airport’s post shown in the information provided, the six-minute period is intended for vehicles that enter the airport for passenger pick-up or drop-off and leave within the permitted time.
This means motorists do not have to pay a parking fee simply because they enter the airport for a brief passenger transfer, provided they complete the process within the six-minute window.
The clarification is particularly important because the wording displayed on the airport’s tariff information had previously left room for confusion over whether six minutes represented merely the permitted time or a completely free period.
What happens if a vehicle stays longer than six minutes?
The airport has also clarified what happens when the permitted period is exceeded.
According to the Dibrugarh Airport communication, a ₹20 charge becomes applicable beyond the stipulated six-minute period.
Therefore, motorists should distinguish between two situation’s
| Situation | Applicable charge |
| Pick-up/drop-off completed within 6 minutes | No charge |
| Vehicle remains beyond the permitted 6 minutes | ₹20 charge, according to the airport clarification |
The six-minute facility should therefore not be interpreted as six minutes of free parking for vehicles intending to remain at the airport for longer periods. It is specifically connected with passenger pick-up and drop-off.
Why the clarification matters
Airport entry and parking rules can sometimes create confusion because several different activities take place in the same area. A vehicle dropping off a passenger, another vehicle waiting for an arriving passenger and a vehicle parked for an extended period may all enter the airport premises, but they do not necessarily fall under the same tariff arrangement.
The Dibrugarh Airport clarification provides a more specific explanation for the short pick-up and drop-off process.
For families, this can be particularly relevant. A person may enter the airport to collect an elderly family member, assist a passenger with luggage or drop someone before departure. If the entire process is completed within six minutes, the airport’s clarification says there is no charge for that pick-up or drop-off period.
Dibrugarh Airport’s importance in Upper Assam
Dibrugarh Airport, officially known as Dibrugarh Airport/Mohanbari Airport, is an important aviation facility for Upper Assam.
AAI describes the airport as being located around 16 km from Dibrugarh city and says it serves people from Upper Assam as well as neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh. The airport covers about 386 acres and has a 6,000-foot runway and an apron with seven aircraft parking bays.
Because the airport serves a large regional catchment, changes or clarifications concerning passenger access and vehicle movement can affect not only Dibrugarh residents but also passengers travelling from other parts of eastern Assam and nearby Arunachal Pradesh.
The difference between pick-up/drop-off and parking
One of the most important points for motorists is that pick-up/drop-off and parking should not be treated as the same activity.
The six-minute provision described by Dibrugarh Airport is for a vehicle entering for passenger pick-up or drop-off and completing the process within the stipulated period.
A driver who intends to wait for an extended period should not assume that the six-minute rule provides unlimited free parking.
AAI’s broader parking documentation also demonstrates that airport parking tariffs can differ according to vehicle categories and time periods. For example, AAI’s vehicle parking management documentation contains separate rates for private cars, commercial cars, buses, two-wheelers and other categories.
For this reason, motorists should follow the signs and instructions at Dibrugarh Airport rather than applying a tariff from another airport.
Why the ₹20 charge should not be misunderstood
The clarification should also be understood carefully in relation to the ₹20 amount.
The airport’s latest communication, as shown in the screenshot dated September 24, says that the ₹20 charge applies beyond the stipulated six-minute period. This does not mean that every vehicle entering the airport automatically has to pay ₹20.
Instead, the key factor is whether the vehicle completes its permitted passenger pick-up or drop-off activity within the six-minute window.
This distinction is important because a headline saying simply “Dibrugarh Airport introduces ₹20 parking charge” could give readers an inaccurate impression.
The more accurate interpretation is that the airport has clarified the free six-minute pick-up/drop-off period and the charge applicable after that period.
Advice for passengers and motorists
Passengers travelling through Dibrugarh Airport should plan their pick-up and drop-off carefully.
For people collecting arriving passengers, it can be useful to coordinate with the passenger before entering the airport so that the vehicle does not remain unnecessarily long inside the permitted area.
Similarly, passengers being dropped off should keep their luggage ready before the vehicle reaches the designated area. This can help the driver complete the process within the stipulated period.
However, the six-minute provision should not be viewed as permission to stop or wait wherever convenient. Drivers should follow airport traffic signs, designated lanes and instructions from airport personnel.
A clarification rather than a new general AAI rule
Another important point is that this announcement should be treated as a Dibrugarh Airport-specific clarification, rather than assuming that the same six-minute and ₹20 arrangement applies to every AAI airport in India.
AAI manages airports with different parking arrangements, tariffs and operating conditions. Its official Dibrugarh Airport page provides airport-specific information and contact details.
AAI’s website also lists Dibrugarh among its operational airports and provides information for passengers and airport users.
Therefore, motorists travelling through other airports should check the applicable local rules rather than assuming that Dibrugarh’s six-minute provision applies elsewhere.
What motorists should remember
The latest clarification can be summarised in three points:
First, passenger pick-up and drop-off completed within six minutes is free of charge.
Second, according to Dibrugarh Airport’s September 24 clarification, a ₹20 charge applies after the six-minute permitted period.
Third, the free window is specifically related to passenger pick-up and drop-off and should not be interpreted as unlimited free parking.
The clarification is likely to reduce confusion among passengers and families using Dibrugarh Airport. It also makes the practical meaning of the six-minute provision clearer for motorists.
Conclusion
Dibrugarh Airport’s latest clarification provides an important update for passengers and motorists using the airport for short pick-up and drop-off trips. Vehicles completing passenger pick-up or drop-off within six minutes will not be charged, while the airport has stated that ₹20 is applicable beyond the stipulated six-minute period.
For motorists, the key message is simple: complete the passenger transfer within the permitted six-minute window and follow the airport’s designated traffic and parking instructions. For longer stays, applicable charges may arise under the airport’s prescribed arrangements.
Because the specific six-minute and ₹20 information comes from the airport’s September 24 communication, it is best to treat those figures as the current Dibrugarh Airport clarification, rather than as a universal AAI parking rule.