Passing the buck? That's not fare

It happens only in India! Private airlines are locked in a tussle with the Delhi High Court over the logic of demanding a surcharge of Rs 150 on every ticket issued by them to passengers.
The money, according to the airlines is being asked as a compensation for the fuel burnt while aircrafts hover over congested airports, waiting in the landing queue.
Reacting to a PIL filed in the Delhi HC by lawyer Anup Bagai, the court wondered why passengers shouald be asked to pay when the Civil Aviation ministry is to be blamed for congestion at airports.
"The surcharge is unfair and unnecessary. Also, why is there a surcharge on every ticket when there is congestion only on Mumbai, Delhi and maybe the Bangalore airports?"wonders D Sudhaker Reddy, president, Air Passengers Association of India (APAI), adding that, "We are demanding that passengers be reimbursed for inconveniences."
The airlines on their part profess helplessness till the problem of congestion is sorted out. "A plane hovering in the sky is a cost element for the airlines. So how are we expected to bear the cost?"wonders Siddarth, manager (sales) of a private airline.
16/03/07 Times of India

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Categories: Airports Mar 2007, General Aviation Mar 2007