New Delhi, April 8 – Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced on Wednesday a 25 per cent reduction in landing and parking charges for domestic airlines at the country’s airports, in an effort to keep airfares affordable for passengers amid rising jet fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict.
The minister stated that this measure is expected to reduce the landing and parking charges payable by airlines at major airports by approximately ₹400 crore over the three-month period.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has directed the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) to reduce landing and parking charges by 25 per cent from the prevailing tariffs at all major airports under its purview. This reduction will be implemented immediately for all domestic flights and will remain in effect for a period of three months. AERA has issued an order to this effect, stating that any under-recovery by individual airports will be adjusted during tariff determination in the next five-year control period.
Similarly, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has also been directed to reduce landing and parking charges at all its non-major airports by 25 per cent of the approved rate. This reduction for all domestic flights will also remain in effect for a period of three months.
Naidu said: "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government's primary focus in the aviation sector has been to make flying a more affordable and convenient travel option for passengers. Even in the prevailing challenging situation, when global air operations are impacted, we have ensured that cancellations and rising fuel costs do not severely affect the operations of our domestic carriers. While aviation turbine fuel (ATF) costs globally have risen by more than 100 per cent, we have passed on only a limited 25 per cent."
"Now, with the ultimate aim of supporting airlines and, in turn, passengers, airfare increases are being further contained by reducing landing and parking charges levied by airport operators. This step is part of the Ministry’s overall effort to keep the aviation sector stable during this volatile period and to ensure ease of flying for passengers. This is a significant intervention to provide relief to airlines grappling with increasing operational costs."
The Ministry of Civil Aviation is closely monitoring the evolving situation, and further necessary measures will be taken to ensure the viability of air operations, as well as safe and affordable air travel for passengers.
The unprecedented situation arising out of the ongoing West Asia crisis has posed significant challenges to global aviation operations, including Indian carriers. However, the Indian domestic aviation sector continues to remain resilient and robust, supported by timely and calibrated interventions by the government, according to an official statement.