Hyderabad: The Director General of Civil Aviation has rolled back certain charges, which will make flying cheaper for domestic air passengers from non-major airports. DGCA B.S. Bhullar stated air navigational charges at all airports and airport charges at non-major airports of Aviation Authority of India for domestic flights stood restored to rates prior to December 16, 2016. The new tariff would be applicable from July 1 to March 31, 2018.
An official from the DGCA said that the airports serving less than 12 lakh passengers annually were considered non-major airports. “The DGCA increased airport charges by 10 per cent on December 16, 2016, and again by 5 per cent on April 1. This was applicable on non-major airports such as Vijayawada and Rajahmundry among others, which handle an annual traffic of less than 15 lakh. The rates are determined by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority. Now, the rollback of charges will mean lower air fares for domestic passengers from non-major airports,” the official said.
Besides, the DGCA has rolled back passenger service fee, landing, parking and housing fee for aeroplanes in airports along with user development charges. “This will lead to lower ticket prices from 1st of July. But, so far, we have not got any communication from airlines. It may take some time to know the accurate reduction in air fare for domestic passengers”, said travel agent M.V. Sunder Rao.
Mr M. Raghavendra Kumar, a techie from Madhapur, said that after increasing the charges in December, there was an increase in the air ticket from Rajahmundry to other destinations. “The difference was between Rs 300 and Rs 500. But, after the introduction of Udan Scheme, we are expecting cheaper air fares from non-major airports,” he said.
