A blow for international passengers

Thiruvananthapuram: The Airports Economics Regulatory Authority (AERA) has worked out an user development fee (UDF) of Rs 755 per embarking international passenger with the commissioning of the new international terminal at Thiruvananthapuram Airport. Domestic passengers will be spared the additional burden.
AERA, the regulatory authority on airline-related rates, is holding a high-level meeting with state government officials, including Chief Secretary Neela Gangadharan, and representatives of airlines in Thiruvananthapuram on April 5 to finalise the UDF.
The fresh developments have confirmed a recent report in these columns that UDF may be imposed at Thiruvananthapuram Airport soon.
According to a consultation paper issued by AERA, ‘‘the Authority proposes to approve levy of UDF at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport at Rs 755 per embarking international passenger, purely on an ad-hoc basis, with effect from the date of commissioning of the New International Terminal Building for a period of ten years.’’
AERA has also published the consultation paper on the website of the Civil Aviation Ministry and sought comments and suggestions from the stakeholders. The last date for giving suggestions is April 9. The UDF would be formally announced afterwards, sources at the Ministry told Expresso from New Delhi over phone.
31/03/10 Arjun Raghunath/Express Buzz

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Categories: Airports Mar 2010, Foreign Mar 2010