Private Airport Operators Call for Regulatory Support Amid Revenue Challenges

Private airport operators are urging government support to address revenue losses due to reduced landing and parking charges, aimed at aiding domestic airlines during the West Asia conflict. They seek increased fees for international passengers and deferred remittances to mitigate financial impacts and ensure operational sustainability.

Private airport operators have appealed to the government for regulatory support to counter revenue losses caused by a temporary reduction in landing and parking charges. The reduced fees, implemented to assist domestic airlines affected by the West Asia conflict, are scheduled to last three months, affecting cash flows and operational sustainability.

The Association of Private Airport Operators (APAO) critiqued the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority's (AERA) decision as arbitrary, recommending a differentiated approach considering traffic and revenue disparities among airports. APAO members, including GMR and Adani Group, advocate for increased user development fees for international passengers to offset losses.

APAO also calls for a deferral of revenue share payments to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and effective government measures to ensure reduced airline charges benefit passengers through lower airfares, amidst rising operational costs driven by jet fuel price surges.