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25 per cent cut in landing & parking charges amid global disruptions
The unprecedented situation arising out of the ongoing West Asia crisis has posed significant challenges to global aviation operations, including Indian carriers. However, the Indian domestic aviation sector continues to remain resilient and robust, supported by timely and calibrated interventions by the Government.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation, while closely monitoring the evolving situation, has undertaken a series of measures to provide relief to domestic carriers. Earlier, the Government had announced the passing of only a partial ATF price hike, capping the increase for domestic airlines at 25 per cent only for domestic operations. Whereas, globally the sharp spike in crude prices has led to a disproportionate rise in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices.
This step was aimed at enabling carriers to manage operational costs while ensuring that the benefits of affordable air travel continue to reach passengers. Now, as part of a multi-layered response to these unprecedented challenges, the Ministry has taken another significant decision to reduce landing and parking charges for domestic carriers by 25 per cent for a period of three months.
Speaking about the announcement, Minister of Civil Aviation, Rammohan Naidu, expressed, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the primary focus of the Government in the aviation sector has been to make flying a more affordable and convenient travel option for passengers. Even in the prevailing challenging situation, when global air operations are impacted, we have ensured that cancellations and rising fuel costs do not severely affect the operations of our domestic carriers. While ATF costs globally have risen by more than 100 per cent, we have passed on only a moderated increase capped at 25 per cent."
Talking further about the interventions, Minister said "Now, with the ultimate aim of supporting airlines and, in turn, passengers, airfare increases are being further contained by reducing landing and parking charges levied by airport operators. This step is part of the Ministry's overall effort to keep the aviation sector stable during this volatile period and to ensure ease of flying for passengers. This is a significant intervention to provide relief to airlines grappling with increasing operational costs. We are in constant touch with all stakeholders, including airlines, airport operators, and the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA), in this regard."
The Ministry has issued directions to the AERA to reduce landing and parking charges by 25 per cent from the prevailing tariff at all major airports under its purview. This reduction has been brought into immediate effect for all domestic flights and will remain applicable for a period of three months. The AERA has issued an order to this effect, stating that any under-recovery by individual airports shall be adjusted during tariff determination in the next control period of five years.
Similarly, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has also been directed to reduce landing and parking charges at all its non-major airports by 25 per cent of the approved rate. This reduction for all domestic flights will also remain applicable for a period of three months.
These measures are expected to reduce landing and parking charges payable by airlines at major airports during the three-month period by approximately ₹400 crore. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is keeping a close watch on the evolving situation, and further necessary measures will be taken to ensure the viability of air operations, as well as safe and affordable air travel for passengers.
