The Indian airlines limping back to normalcy after gruelling economic meltdown has received further set backs in Budget 2011. Union budget 2011-12 has proposed to raise the service tax on air travel by Rs50 in the case of domestic air travel and Rs250 on international journeys by economy class. It also proposed to tax travel by higher classes on domestic sector at the standard rate of 10% to bring it on par with journeys by higher classes on international air travel.
“Air travel has become more expensive though there has not been a change in the rate of service tax. The major impact being on premium class travels in the domestic sector, which will no longer be chargeable to tax at a fixed rate (previously Rs. 100) but at the applicable rate of service tax of 10.3%. Separately, the fixed service tax amounts on economy class air travel has been enhanced from Rs. 100 to Rs. 150 for domestic and from Rs. 500 to Rs. 750 for international journeys,” said Saloni Roy, partner (infrastructure practice) at consulting firm Ernst & Young.
According to Vivek Nair, vice chairman and managing director The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts and chairperson of the World Tourism and Travel Council India Initiative (WTTCII) said this levy will directly affect both foreign and domestic tourists as it will increase the cost of tour packages.
A senior executive at country’s largest airline by passengers carried Jet Airways (India) Ltd said his airline will be forced to pass on the hike to passengers. He did not want to be identified.
28/02/11 P R Sanjai/Live Mint
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