Govt may remove 'landing charges' at 15 defence airports for aircraft with less than 80 seats

In order to boost regional connectivity, the Centre may remove the 'landing charges' for aircraft having less than 80 seats at 15 defence airports in the country, government officials said Friday.

'Landing charges' are paid by an airline to the airport as per the weight of the aircraft during each landing. Defence airports come under the control of Indian Air Force.

"An airline has requested the Civil Aviation Ministry to waive the landing charges on 15 defence airports for aircraft that have less than 80 seats. It has been decided that the Civil Aviation Secretary would formally take up this matter with the Ministry of Defence soon," a senior government official told PTI.

Another senior government official told PTI, "The aircraft, which have less than 80 seats, are helping in ensuring regional connectivity from the cities where these 15 defence airports are located. Therefore, the (civil aviation) ministry thinks that landing charges should be waived by the Defence Ministry."