CNBC-TV18's Sumit Jha reports that 2012 was a turbulent for Indian aviation on airport fees and KFA with affordable airfare in India remaining a distant dream.
Air passengers have a reason to cheer as the civil aviation ministry is likely to slash airport development fee (ADF) by 54% at Delhi and Mumbai airports, says a report in Business Standard.
GMR Infra-controlled Delhi International Airport Ltd, is seeking an extension of the airport development fee (ADF), a proposal for which is pending with the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority, after banks refuse to lend further, two newspapers reported on Thursday.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday ordered GMR (the operator of the Delhi international airport) to stop collecting ADF from passengers for at least three weeks. For now, the operator has suspended collection of the fee, confirmed chief financial officer of airports Sidharath Kapur.
The Supreme Court overturned a ruling of the Delhi High Court and quashed the airport development fees levied by two of India's busiest private sector-run airports in Delhi and Mumbai. Consequently, Mumbai airport has been barred from levying the fees, while Delhi airport will be able to continue to levy the fees, reports CNBC-TV18.
In what may come as a major boost for airlines, the Supreme Court today quashed the levy of airport development fee by private developers.
GMR Infrastructure touched an intraday high of Rs 39.75 and an intraday low of Rs 38. At 11:18 hrs the share was quoting at Rs 38.10, down Rs 1.65, or 4.15% on the NSE.