As Indian carriers continued to press for reduction in airport charges, the government has come under attack from global airline body international Air Transport Association for approving unjustified hikes in the levies by private airports and allowing introduction of airport development fees.
In its Annual Report for 2009, IATA has come down heavily on the civil aviation ministry on allowing a hike in airport charges. In a surprise move and without consulting with airlines, the ministry of civil aviation approved a 10 per cent increase in airport charges at Mumbai and Delhi airports effective early 2009.This was followed by the approval of an airport development fee at Delhi airport beginning March 1, 2009.
These unjustified rate increases are sure to exacerbate India’s growing economic crisis, which yielded $1.5 billion in airline losses in 2008, the IATA report said.
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