Kingfisher, Paramount in default of payment to AAI

Kingfisher Airlines and Paramount Airways are defaulting airlines in payment to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for services including landing charges, parking and housing charges and licence fees for space/land allotments.

"The dues outstanding by these two airlines as on February 28, 2011, was Rs 255 crore on Kingfisher Airlines and Rs 4.88 crore on Paramount Airways," Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi said in the Lok Sabha during the Question Hour.

The charges/fee levied by AAI on the private airlines annually are landing charges, parking/housing charges, route navigation facility charges, terminal navigation landing charges and licence fees for space/land allotment.

The minister said that only Kingfisher and Paramount are in default.

The AAI has taken action against these entities and they have been asked to clear the over dues in a time bound manner.

Penal interest is being charges on account of delay in the settlement of bills, Ravi said adding that in case of continued default, AAI proposes to encash the security deposit and put the airlines in "cash and carry" mode.