Government threatens action if airlines persist with congestion fees
02 May 2008
New Delhi: With air fares in the country now rising every two weeks on an average, mostly because of rising fuel costs, and with its initiative to convince state governments to reduce their levies on aviation turbine fuel turning out to be partially successful, the government has threatened to take action against airlines for levying congestion charges. It argues that this charge is being levied under false premises.
Airlines are currently charging a congestion fee of Rs150.
The argument about congestion fees is an old one as the government had asked airlines to withdraw the congestion charge last year as well. State-owned Air India was the only airline to comply with the request.
Government officials say that airlines are free to charge whatever fare they wish to, but it cannot be under false pretences. No fees ought to be charged in the name of congestion as this has eased at all airports in the country, with the exception of Mumbai.
Officials said if the practise of misleading passengers persists they may be forced to take action.
Apart from congestion fees of Rs150, passengers are also paying a fuel surcharge of about Rs2,150.
