Regulatory authority for airports in the offing

New Delhi: The Centre will shortly come up with a bill to set up an Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA). The bill is likely to be finalised by the Cabinet and passed by Parliament in this session itself.
It will ensure a level-playing field in major airports and bring about the spirit of competition between them. It will also have the power to determine tariffs such as airport charges – landing, navigation and parking charges – in these airports.
AERA will monitor pre-set performance standards at airports and oversee and deal with natural monopoly and common user/carrier segments.
The draft bill also proposes the setting up of an Appellate Tribunal with the power to slap hefty fines on defaulting individuals, airlines and companies. The bill empowers the tribunal to punish a defaulter with a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.
The fine could be doubled in case of a second or subsequent offense. For repeat offenses, the defaulter could be additionally fined as high as Rs 2 lakh for every day the default continues.
The AERA would consist of one chairperson and two other members, who will be selected by the Centre from among people with adequate knowledge and professional experience in aviation, economics, commerce or consumer affairs.
28/04/07 BS Arun/Deccan Herald

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Categories: Airports Apr 2007, General Aviation Apr 2007