Development Fee Unfair as Basic Amenities Lacking at Mangalore New Terminal

Mangalore: The euphoria over the New Integrated Terminal Building (NITB) of Mangalore Airport becoming functional from August this year seems to be short lived especially for international passengers as they are force to shell out Rs. 825/- towards User Development Fee (UDF) levied by Airport Authority of India (AAI). The UDF has been implemented from 1st September, 2010 after the AAI got approval for the same from the Civil Aviation Ministry. Accordingly, each passenger boarding a domestic flight at Mangalore Airport will have to pay Rs. 150/- towards UDF whereas passengers flying international will have to pay Rs. 825/- per passenger.
While many passengers are even ready to pay this fee even though they consider it is too exorbitant, they feel that the facilities made available to the passengers at the new terminal are not adequate and not worth the fee charged from the passengers as maintenance fee. While this is a matter of grave concern, many international passengers are facing the problem with regard to paying UDF as their tickets were booked much before September, this year.
Many passengers and even airlines complain about lack of a proper restaurant inside the airport, a basic amenity which should have been provided to the passengers when they collect such a high user development fee.
Joshua Alvares from Udupi, a frequent flier to the Middle East also pointed out the lack of food facilities at the NITB.
Though there is a provision of aerobridge at the NITB it is not yet functional and as a results passengers have to walk a long distance to catch the flight. This becomes quite messy especially during rainy season as many passengers do not carry umbrellas.
The NITB lacks even basic facilities like internet, STD/ISD facility and Post Office, which were available to the travelers at the Bajpe airport. STD/ISD is a basic facility which is a must as most passengers may not carry a mobile with local sim and in case they wish to make any important call it is just not possible. Passengers complain that drinking water is not easily available and there should be more provisions of drinking water facilities at the NITB. Security aspect is also adding to the despair of the passengers and the shortage of CISF personnel causes undue security delay.
19/09/10 Daijiworld.com

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Categories: airports Sep 2010