Come February 1, because of a new tax, travel out of Delhi would become marginally more costly for travelers.
Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) has been approved by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) to charge Rs 65.98 plus tax on outbound passengers from 1 February 2021 to 31 March 2022.
This tax is in lieu of the “fuel throughput charge” imposed until January 15, 2020, on airlines. The fuel throughput fee is the tax charged to the airport operator by fuel suppliers.
According to a TOI survey, this levy per passenger will be decreased for the next three years until 2024. In the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, the current fee will be lowered to Rs 53, Rs 52.56 and Rs 51.97 plus taxes.DIAL had sought permission from AERA to charge as much as Rs 200-300 to offset the revenue loss caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The same was, however, rejected. DIAL wanted to charge the fee to passengers departing from Indira Gandhi International Airport till March 2024.
AERA allegedly told DIAL that if its financial woes continue, it may lift the request again about the levy after March 2024. The airport operator is considering its options, such as making an appeal or contacting the court due to the lack of profits.
From April 2020 to March 2024, the airport operator predicts a sales shortfall of Rs 3,538 crores due to disturbance and eventual lockout due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It appealed to the Civil Aviation Ministry to order AERA to recognize its condition as a result of the pandemic.
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