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Journalism of Courage
As airlines continue to face mounting pressures on cost, industry members have called for an urgent revision in non-aeronautical charges that have risen over 4,900 per cent in the last six months.
The non-aeronautical charges including handling and parking, which cost Rs 3,000 for 300 square meters six months ago, today costs Rs 1,50,000 — a massive 50-fold jump, according to industry body Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
“Nowhere in the world have space allocations charges within airport premises gone up that steeply,” said ASSOCHAM’s civil aviation committee chairman, Jagdish Gupta.
Seeking a review of handling charges like hanger space, parking charges, ticketing counter space and backup office space and airport development fees, Gupta said there was an urgent need to set up an aviation economic regulator that could look into these issues.
The Chamber has also pointed out that procedure for grant of operating permit to regional and small operators by the Directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) should be simplified and should not akin to the process followed for national airlines. The industry body has mooted a single window clearance system for grant of such licenses.
ASSOCHAM has stressed the need to simplify clearance of charter flights at short notice after office hours or holidays, by DGCA. At present, such clearances are difficult to procure and hence non-scheduled operators are unable to offer stand-by services.
• Non-aeronautical charges which were Rs 3,000 for 300 sqm today cost Rs 1,50,000
• ASSOCHAM has sought a review of handling charges, parking charges, ticketing counter and backup office space
• Chamber calls for the setting up of an aviation economic regulator
• Procedure for grant of operating permit to regional, small operators by the DGCA should be simplified
