Mumbai, New Delhi airports seek 10% increase in charges

New Delhi: For the second time this year, the operators of New Delhi and Mumbai airports have sought permission to raise airport charges by 10%.
If the hike is approved, it will further impact the loss-making airline firms in India, which are already protesting high taxes on jet fuel and high airport charges in privately operated airports that include Mumbai and New Delhi, the country’s largest airports by number of passengers served.
The airlines, who have posted losses on the back of an economic slowdown, are likely to pass on the increase to customers. Airline companies pay a fee every time an aircraft lands at an airport, which includes landing, parking and navigational charges.
A government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the civil aviation ministry was examining the proposal from the airport operators.
A spokesman for Mumbai International Airport Ltd said the company has written to the aviation ministry for a 10% increase in aeronautical fees and that this increase “was to be effective from 3 May 2009”, according to a privatization agreement the operator had signed with the government.
24/08/09 Tarun Shukla/Livemint

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Categories: Airports Aug 2009