HC stays closure of free info counter at airport

The association paid Rs 16,000 rent for the counters to the AAI. The division bench of Chief Justice M B Shah and R J Kochar passed an ad-interim order staying the termination of the counters. The matter is now posted on February 18.

The petitioners argued that the AAI terminated the counters despite the popular response from the airline passengers and hotel industry. The AAI took a unilateral policy decision to allow private agencies to run the counters. The authority called for bids and the highest bidder (Rs 34 lakh) got the contract. Thereafter,the AAI sent notices to the restaurants’ association informing them of the forthcoming termination.

Petitioners’ counsel Jai Chenoy argued that AAI had the right to terminate their information counters. However, he objected to the manner in which it was done. He also argued that a private agency paying Rs 34 lakh to AAI is bound to recover the amount either from the passengers or the hotel industry. Therefore, the hotel industry will inadvertently lose revenue, he said.

The Chief Justice also questioned the AAI about the likely loss of the hotel industry. He has now asked the AAI to justify the discontinuation of the free information counters.