Airport tribunal directs AERA not to implement new tariffs

The tribunal said, however, that the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) may pass the final order on tariffs, but it would not be implemented.

A bunch of petitions have been filed by private airport operators in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Cochin and Hyderabad, against some of the provisions of AERA's tariff guidelines.

"It is made clear that even if any final order is passed by the respondent, AERA, the same shall not be given effect to without leave of this Court," said the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority Appellate Tribunal.

The 3-member tribunal has also listed the matter on November 16, 17 and 23 for final hearing over the plea filed by private airport developers.

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by airport operators who have challenged the terms and conditions for the Determination of Tariff or Airport Operators in the guidelines issued by the regulator on February 28.

It also directed the respondents, including AERA, to file their written submissions within three weeks.

During the proceedings, AERA, assured the tribunal that the regulator would take a decision on the issue of fixation of tariffs by January 31.

AERA is seeking the views of all airport users, including airlines, on the multi-year tariff proposals of operators -- DIAL and MIAL -- to hike airport charges by 500-600 per cent.

A hike in airport charges has been overdue since 2001, but it would depend on the Civil Aviation Ministry's policies, an AERA decision and the views of key stakeholders, including the airlines and passenger associations, whose views were being sought.