Air carriers continue congestion levy, to tell HC why

Although there has been a “significant improvement” in the congestion scenario at major airports...

Although there has been a “significant improvement” in the congestion scenario at major airports, most domestic air carriers are likely to continue levying the congestion surcharge of Rs 150 per passenger. The airlines will state the reason for doing so before the Delhi High Court when the matter comes up for hearing on April 17.

While Air Deccan and Paramount Airways have withdrawn the congestion surcharge, acceding to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA)request, most air carriers have chosen not to respond.

Spokespersons of Kingfisher, Jet Airways and Spicejet have said that their airlines were imposing the surcharge and would continue to do it.

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Chairman and Managing Director of Kingfisher Airlines, Vijay Mallya, said he would explain the rationale behind imposing the surcharge to the court.

Mandated by the Delhi High Court, following a PIL regarding the congestion at Delhi’s IGI Airport, the DGCA recently held a meeting with representatives from various airline companies on the matter.

The DGCA had then shot off a letter to the air carriers, requesting them to withdraw the congestion surcharge.

With only a couple of carriers having acceded to the request, the DGCA will submit a status report on the matter before the High Court. Meanwhile, DGCA officials claimed with a new schedule in place, a “significant improvement” has already been observed.

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Kingfisher Airlines, Jet Airways and Air Deccan were the first to impose the congestion surcharge of Rs 150 per passenger, on account of the extra expenditure incurred due to aircraft circling over airports, waiting for permission to land.

The Delhi High Court had expressed displeasure over this and asked the DGCA to hold a discussion with the airlines and ask them to do away with the surcharge.