Can’t roll back congestion surcharge, says Kingfisher

Kingfisher Airlines, the first private carrier to impose a congestion surcharge of Rs 150 per passenger, has decided not to rollback the surcharge and, instead, explain the rationale behind the move to the Delhi High Court. The surcharge is meant ostensibly to meet the additional fuel expenses caused when aircraft have to hover over airports waiting for their turn to land.

Kingfisher CMD Vijay Mallya said today that most airlines had already communicated to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) their inability to withdraw the congestion surcharge. Speaking on the sidelines of an aviation meet, he said that his airline would not remove the surcharge till there was some improvement in the congestion scenario.

Mallya added that the surcharge was imposed to highlight the problem and most airlines would readily remove the levy if the problem eases. Air Deccan and Paramount Airways have decided to scrap the surcharge while IndiGo and GoAir are yet to clearly state their positions.