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Journalism of Courage
NEW DELHI, August 6: The landing rate at the five international airports –Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai and Thiruvanathapuram — are likely to go up by seven per cent with effect from August 1. However, the parking rate would remain the same. Sources in the Airports Authority of India (AAI) say the increase comes in the wake of an agreement signed between AAI chairman D V Gupta and senior officials of International Air Transport Association in Singapore.
The AAI chairman along with member (Finance) of AAI Prasad Rao had gone to Singapore to negotiate with IATA and the revised rates were agreed on July 30. The proposal has been sent to the Ministry of Civil Aviation for approval and a formal notification would be issued soon. According to the sources, the increase in the landing and parking rates was long due which was last done in 1996.
Among the other major changes, it has been agreed that a further revision of 4 per cent would come up after a meeting in January. The sources pointed out that IATAhad asked the AAI to upgrade its facilities at the airports. There was speculation last year about the steep rise of 22 per cent in the landing and parking charges but that was stalled, as there was a strong opposition from airlines. This time, however, there was a representative of the Indian Airlines at the negotiations so there was no hitch in reaching the agreement.
