(a) whether the user charges at Indian airports are amongst the highest in the world;
(b) if so, the reasons for the same;
(c) the details of user charges applicable to airlines at Indian airports such as landing navigation, parking and housing charges for aircraft alongwith the comparative rates in Dubai, Sharjah, Thailand and Sri Lanka; and
(d) the corrective steps being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY )
(a):- No Sir. India is at the 80th place in respect of landing charges for aircraft of MD-80/B-737 type and at 100th place in the case of B-747 type of aircraft.
(b):- Does not arise.
(c):- The landing charges for MD-80/B-737 type of aircraft weighing 63500 kgs at United Arab Emirates (Sharjah and Dubai), Thailand and Srilanka are 207, 152 and 254 in US Dollars, respectively as compared with Indian rate of 332 in US Dollars. Similarly the charges for B-747 type of aircrafts weighing 394600 kgs. are 1365,1082 and 1578, dollars respectively as compared with Indian rate of 2043 in US Dollars.
(d):- The corrective steps taken are :
- Switching over to weight-cum-distance formula for calculation for Route Navigation Facility Charges giving benefit of 15-20% per annum to domestic carriers.
- Freezing of user charges for a period of one year (2003-04) with no upward revision in the airside user charges.
- Reduction in the Terminal Navigational Landing Charges by 25% effective from 1.4.2003.
- Reduction in Landing and Parking charges at airports in North Eastern Region, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshdweep by 25% of the current rates.