The Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) on 24 April 2012 permitted GMR promoted DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited) to increase airport charges for Delhi Airport by 345 per cent for next two years. The authority also approved the DIAL’s demand to levy a user development fee (UDF) on all passengers including, for the first time, those who arrive at the airport.
Under the revised charges which is set to be effective from 15 May 2012, the passengers will have to shell out at least 1153 rupees just on account of the newly-introduced UDF and existing development fee for a Delhi-Mumbai round trip, and 3849 rupees on a Delhi-London return trip. This will be over and above the 10-15 per cent increase in fares that airlines are likely to effect to pass on the burden of airport charges — parking, landing and navigation — that too have been hiked.
The authority, which declined DIAL’s demand to increase the aeronautical charges by 700 per cent and 24 per cent return on equity, approved a 148 per cent hike in airport charges for 2012-13 and 334.36 per cent for 2013-14. It also approved a 16 per cent return on equity.
The latest hike in the airport charges, have made Delhi Airport the most expensive airport in the world. The air fares are likely to soar following the move. Airline companies argued that the decision will have its bearings on the already ailing aviation industry as the passengers are likely to switch over to cheaper options like train in case of increased charges.
Comments
All Comments (0)
Join the conversation