As per the BIAL proposal, Rs 675 will be levied on every domestic passenger and Rs 955 on every international passenger leaving Bangalore. However, those arriving would not have to shell out any "user development fee"...
Reaching the new Devanahalli airport may just not be a difficult task for passengers. They will have to fork out a steep sum to board the aircraft as well.
The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) wants to levy “user development fee” [UDF] on the passengers departing from Bangalore. The airport is slated for a March 28, 2008 opening.
As per the BIAL proposal, Rs 675 will be levied on every domestic passenger and Rs 955 on every international passenger leaving Bangalore. However, those arriving would not have to shell out any UDF.
The proposal is currently before the civil aviation ministry.
The ministry, however, is of the view that the fee is on the higher side and though the BIAL is entitled to levy it as per the concession agreement, it should be a reasonable amount.
While no decision has been taken yet, the ministry has informed the BIAL authorities to reconsider the amount but the latter is understood to be reluctant to do so, informed sources told Deccan Herald on Tuesday.
“We will call BIAL officials for a meeting and see whether the amount can be reduced,” they said.
Asked for comment, a BIAL spokesperson said: “Yes, the UDF has always been a part of the concession agreement. However, this matter is currently under discussion...”
The sources noted that the greenfield airport — Bangalore’s will be the first such to be opened in the country — will get revenue from airlines on the one side and passengers on the other to augment its revenue so that it could recover the investments made.
“We will decide the fee in consultation with the Bangalore International Airport Limited. However, when the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority is formed, it can take a fresh view on the issue.”
The AERABill has already been passed by Parliament and the body can be formed any day.
Indian airports currently charge Rs 200 as service fee per passenger. Of this, Rs 70 goes to the operator and Rs 130 to the Central Industrial Security Force which takes care of the airport security.
The Delhi and Mumbai airports, which have been privatised, do not charge any UDF at present.
Connectivity woes
Meanwhile, the issue of connectivity continues to bug the authorities in Karnataka. Now that he has taken over the reins, Governor Rameshwar Thakur is said to be a worried man over airport connectivity.
Thakur had fixed a meeting with Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and officials of the related departments on Tuesday in Bangalore but it had to be postponed as Patel was busy elsewhere. A new date for the meeting is yet to be fixed.
THE BURDEN
* Only departees to be charged
* Fee for each domestic passenger: Rs 675
* Fee for international passenger: Rs 955
Who ever has implemented this fees structure is a retard.
by wilson on 12/19/2007 11:11:38 AM
Is this another attempt at fleeccing people in any manner possible. The politicians & the bureacrats need to be brought to book and the general public need to have a say in major decisions that affect the general population.
by Prasad on 12/19/2007 5:10:03 AM
What is the direct benefit that only departing passengers would derive from such a fee, that they are being singled out for this levy ? Also, with most passengers using budget carriers, it looks like a sizeable fraction of their travel cost would be for staying on the ground at BIAL !!
by Vinay on 12/19/2007 4:28:02 AM
This is just one more way that the Government want to suck common man's blood. The Government is filled with filth politics. A new generation has to come into action and all the old politicians have to be kicked out.
by jagdish kalkunte on 12/18/2007 10:14:02 PM
If a fee is collected, they should be added to the ticket price at the time of purchase, This will prevent chaos at the counters, going from one window to the other. I agree the tariff should be reasonable, just like they do in any airport. No exemptions at any air-port- that is discrimination. If the proposal goes thro' makes sure, there is good stream-lining- back to infrastructure problems
