'Word congestion not fees worries DGCA'

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation's (DGCA) appeal to remove congestion surcharge has triggered a debate in the aviation sector.
According to industry players, DGCA has no statutory power to get into the pricing. They said the DGCA is more concerned about the withdrawal of the tag 'congestion surcharge' as it brings DGCA's inability to manage air traffic congestion in the public knowledge.
"We have been told to increase the prices (unofficially) but not to mention it as congestion surcharge. This explains that DGCA is not bothered about the high ticket prices which will ultimately be passed on to the customers but to make an impression that the air traffic congestion woes are under control," said an industry player.
However, Director General of DGCA Kanu Gohain denied all the charges. He said, "What we told the airlines was that as far as fare hike is concerned, that's their call. But putting is as congestion surcharge is wrong as the airlines are equally responsible for it."
The airlines also blamed DGCA for doing very little on infrastructure front and therefore causing huge air traffic congestion.
16/03/07 Parul Chhaparia/Times of India

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Airports Mar 2007, General Aviation Mar 2007