JOIN USThe Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has proposed a 78.4 per cent reduction in airport charges at Delhi airport from February 1, even though operator DIAL had demanded an increase of 42.6 per cent.
If the proposal goes through, flying out of the national capital will become cheap with reduction of user development fee (UDF) paid by fliers, and other aeronautical charges incurred by airlines. At present, the Delhi Airport charges between Rs 232 and Rs 550 as
UDF for domestic travellers, and between Rs 518 and Rs 1,270 for international passengers.
AERA made the proposal in a consultation paper circulated by it before taking any decision on the tariff for the 2014-19 period. Tariffs for Delhi Airport were last revised in 2012 when AERA allowed DIAL to hike charges by 346 per cent against the 775 per cent sought by the private operator.
The Indira Gandhi International Airport is run by DIAL, a joint venture between the GMR Group and the Airports Authority of India. GMR Group holds 74 per cent stake in the joint venture. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has described Indian airports as among the ‘most expensive’ ones, and welcomed the proposed reduction in charges as a ‘positive’ move.