Smaller aircraft can continue to enjoy free run

New Delhi: Private airport operators like GMR-led Delhi International Airport (DIAL) and GVK-led Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) may need to alter their plans. The civil aviation ministry is set to oppose their proposal to restrict entry of smaller aircraft at Delhi and Mumbai airports.
Smaller aircraft are exempted from paying any landing charge leading to huge revenue loss to airport operators. It is believed that this was one of the triggers for the move by the new airport companies to restrict these aircraft. However, this move is likely to be thwarted by the government. While this segment constitutes almost 10% of Delhi airport’s entire traffic volume, at Mumbai it’s less than 10%.
“Private operators can not stop entry of smaller aircraft at metro airports merely on the grounds of congestion and unavailability of slots. Their unilateral decisions are not accepted,” an official in the civil aviation ministry said. Experts say that the real reason behind such demand by private operators is the revenue loss. As per the existing guidelines, aircraft with a take-off mass of less than 40,000 kg are not required to pay landing charges to the airports.
20/08/07 Nirbhay Kumar/Times of India

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Categories: Airports Aug 2007, General Aviation Aug 2007