Landing, parking charges waiver for airlines unlikely to continue at major airports

Airports tariff regulator AERA is unlikely to extend the 25 per cent waiver in landing and parking charges for domestic flights across major airports, according to sources.

The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA), on the civil aviation ministry’s directive on April 7, announced a three-month waiver for all domestic flights in the wake of the West Asia turmoil posing financial challenges for the airlines.

The sources on Monday said that airport operators have not received any extension order regarding the reduced landing and parking charges, and, per se, the waiver has lapsed.

There was no immediate response from the civil aviation ministry on the issue.

“Landing and parking charges (part of aeronautical tariff) at all major airports shall be reduced by 25 per cent from the prevailing tariff. This reduction shall take effect immediately and will be applicable on all domestic flights for a period of three months,” AERA had said in its order dated April 7.

“After due consideration, the authority has decided to implement the directions issued by the Government,” it had said.

Last month, the private airports’ association APAO urged the ministry to discontinue reduced landing and parking charges for domestic flights once the three-month period ends and allow airport operators to recover the foregone fees from airlines.