Mumbai International Airport hikes landing charges
According to senior airport officials, landing charges have been increased from approximately Rs 25,200 to Rs 61,419.
Mumbai: Commuters can expect their flight ticket prices to go up soon, especially on shorter routes. This is because the Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd (MIAL) is increasing its landing charges for flights arriving in the city. This increase of around 40 per cent would be made applicable with an additional 5 per cent increment every year, with experts saying that passengers on shorter routes would be most affected.
An airline is charged for every landing depending on the type of aircraft it has for that particular sector (eg. an airbus is charged less for landing than a Boeing). Apart from the smallest aircraft (ATRs), landing charges are applicable for all other aircraft. According to senior airport officials, landing charges have been increased from approximately Rs 25,200 to Rs 61,419.
Media reports in May stated that the user development fee (UDF) rates for Mumbai would remain fixed at Rs 548 and Rs 274 for outbound international and domestic passengers. Incoming passengers do not pay UDF at Mumbai. “Since UDF cannot be increased, this is a smart move on the part of the airport operator,” said a senior official.
According to an Airport Economy Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) order dated September 23, no aeronautical charges were to be increased till October 31.
Aviation expert Dr Vipul Saxena said: “Enhanced tariff will result in an additional burden on passengers, who are already hard-pressed due to unfair and irrational airport charges levied by MIAL. Despite the fact that flights in Mumbai still face a lot of congestion, causing delays and cancellations, there are no passenger luxury services in return of airport charges. I hope that AERA looks into these factors, too, and takes passenger comforts into account.”
MIAL spokesperson said, “If interplay between the user development fee and landing charges is considered, then in totality for a Code C domestic aircraft, charges will go down by 15 per cent effective November 1, 2016. Total aeronautical charges has gone down by 4.65 per cent.”