Delhi airport appeals against second tariff order which slashed user fees

DIAL had sought a 42% increase in rates and over and above the 346% rise granted to it

The Delhi airport has appealed against Airport Economic Regulatory Authority’s (AERA) tariff order — passed last month — which cut user charges by 89 per cent. The second appeal has been filed even as its plea against the tariff order of 2012 is pending for the last four years.

In its December order, the AERA slashed the user development fee (UDF) levied on domestic and international passengers at Delhi airport to Rs 10 and Rs 45, respectively.

Also, arriving passengers will no longer be charged any UDF.

The AERA order for Delhi airport covers the second control period from 2014-19. However, the reduced charges will not take effect till appeals on the earlier tariff order are settled. Now, the Delhi airport has challenged the second control period order too at the AERA appellate tribunal (AERAAT).

In an email response, a Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) spokesperson said “We do not wish to comment on this as the matter is sub judice.” In the latest tariff order, the overall charges on passengers and airlines had been reduced by 89.4 per cent. These included levies on landing and parking of aircraft, common use terminal equipment charges, UDF and fuel throughput charge.

DIAL had sought a 42 per cent increase in rates and over and above the 346 per cent rise granted to it by the regulator for the first control period (2009-14).

In its earlier order for 2009-14, the regulator had allowed a 346 per cent increase in tariff. That 2012 order is under appeal before the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority Appellate Tribunal (AERAAT). While that appeal has still not been disposed DIAL moved the Delhi High Court and secured a stay on implementation of order for period 2014-19. AERA has challenged this order in the Supreme Court.