IATA opposes different UDF

The different user development fee (UDF) proposed for the two new airports in Hyderabad and Bangalore was on Tuesday opposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) which said such charges must be decided by a regulatory authority.

Speaking at the sidelines of an IATA workshop, Albert Tjoeng, the association’s Corporate Communications Manager (Asia-Pacific), said there was no justification for different user charges for domestic and international passengers as they would be using the same facilities. Such charges should be monitored and regulated by an airport economic regulator so that the operators do not charge in excess, he said, urging the Government to expedite the process of appointing the regulator. The Airport Economic Regulator Authority Bill is pending before Parliament.

He said IATA would be able to adhere to its target of achieving 100 per cent e-ticketing by May and added that in January 91 per cent tickets of the tickets in India were sold through this mode.

“IATA will stop issuing paper tickets from June,” he added. Referring to another cost-cutting and environment-friendly initiative, Tjoeng said the barcoded boarding pass system was increasingly being accepted by the airline industry though it was yet to take off in India.