Coimbatore: Businessmen, doctors and frequent fliers in the city have opposed to the proposal made by the Airports Authority of India to levy a new user development fee of Rs 400 on travellers. The proposal is pending before the ministry of civil aviation for approval. If the user development fee comes into effect, it will be for a period of six years and two months. But regular fliers are already up in arms over the issue.
"The ministry should understand the plight of the average citizen. Instead of taking a flight, I can choose to travel by road or train as the cost factor works out in my favour. Instead of spending hundreds of rupees on taxis from and to airports, I can travel by road in my own car along with friends," said Dr G Bakthavathsalam, chairman, KG Hospital.
Travellers reasoned that they hardly have an hour to spend inside the airport to use the newly provided amenities. Also, it is not clear what amenities the AAI will provide within airports. "Why charge Rs 400. Why not charge more nominal and reasonable," asked Bakthavathsalam.
"Once I get the boarding pass, I enter the flight. It is not as if a world of facilities is available at airport. If the government is serious about bringing in world class civil aviation, it should provide good airports by spending out of its own pocket. Otherwise, I will travel by road in my own car," said Dr S Karthik, orthopaedic surgeon.
26/02/12 Times of India
To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline
0 comments:
Post a Comment