Patel`s decongestion plan has few takers

New Delhi\Mumbai: The civil aviation ministry’s move this week to reduce growing congestion at metro airports by introducing differential navigation and landing charges has come a cropper, with domestic carriers deciding not to shift their flights to non-peak hours.
The ministry had hinted that it would double navigation and landing charges for peak hours (7 am to 10 am and 6 pm to 10 pm) and reduce it by half for non-peak hours in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore to reduce congestion.
Air Deccan, the second largest carrier with 25 per cent of its flights in peak hours, says the government move will only raise tariffs and discourage travellers.
Budget carrier Spice Jet, which has over 65 per cent of its flights in non-peak hours, says it does not plan to shift its peak hour flights to non-peak slots.
Kingfisher Airlines executives also say there is no question of shifting flights to non-peak hours as the airline caters to business and corporate travellers who travel in such hours.
08/03/07 Surajeet Das Gupta & P R Sanjai/Business Standard

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Categories: Airports Mar 2007, General Aviation Mar 2007