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Journalism of Courage
The Union government on Tuesday informed the Delhi High Court that the recommendation for constituting an appellate body of the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) was with the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and that a decision was likely to be taken very soon.
The court was hearing a petition by several airlines against the AERA nod for a threefold hike in its aeronautical tariff for the Capitals Indira Gandhi International Airport,
The AERA had on April 24 permitted Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) to increase the airport charges for Delhi airport by 345 per cent for the next two years.
The authority had also approved DIALs demand for the first time to levy a user development fee (UDF) on all passengers,including those who arrive at the airport.
AERA in its order had hiked airport charges including landing,parking,and housing charges,UDF,fuel throughput charges etc. with effect from May 15.
In a joint plea,the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA),an airlines association,alleged the AERA order allowing the tariff increase was unlawful as it was done without following basic norms of the regulated sectors like independent audit prudence check. The FIA said the hike would hamper the financial position of the airlines.
They also contended that since the AERA appellate tribunal was not in place,the court should hear the matter.
