Local, foreign airlines owe Rs 2,739 cr in dues to AAI

Airlines, both domestic and international, owe Rs 2,738.87 crore to Airports Authority of India (AAI) on account of airport usage fees.

While national carriers, including Air India, owe Rs 1,962.92 crore, domestic private operators are yet to clear dues of Rs 387.02 crore as on March 31, 2015. Foreign airlines owe Rs 388.93 crore.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma said the AAI is charging 12 per cent on the dues as per its accounting policy. The interest on delayed payment is calculated and booked on receipt basis at the time of realisation, he said in a written reply in Lok Sabha. Among the domestic players, SpiceJet owes the highest dues of Rs 185.59 crore. Jet Airways has a due of Rs 51.48 crore, Go Airlines Rs 32 crore, IndiGo Rs 19.81 crore and AirAsia India Rs 1.29 crore. Other operators, including non-schedule operators, together owe Rs 96.85 crore. All these operators together has a security deposit of Rs 612.39 crore with AAI.

Sharma said the AAI has taken several steps to recover the dues from airlines. The dues against airlines are covered by security deposit that is equal to two months operations, he said.

The AAI is also constantly monitoring dues on a regular basis and the airlines are urged through mails and meetings to clear it. “In cases where delay persists, besides encashment of security deposit and allowing action as per agreement terms are initiated, including allowing the airlines to operate on cash and carry basis.”