Air Deccan withdraws congestion surcharge

Mumbai: Air Deccan, India''s second largest airline, announced the withdrawal of congestion surcharge with effect from March 29, 2007. The congestion surcharge of Rs150, which had come into effect on December 8, 2006, will no longer be applicable on fresh tickets booked on and after March 29, 2007, the airline said in a release.

"The rationale behind implementing the congestion fee was to make the government aware of the problems being faced by airlines due to congestion at airports. We are withdrawing the same since the government is now taking firm steps to tackle the problem and we are glad our issues are being addressed positively," Capt G.R Gopinath, managing director of Air Deccan, said.

India''s fastest growing low-cost airline and the second largest airline in the country, with a market share of 21.6 per cent, Air Deccan has the largest network in India today covering 64 airports, plying over 350 flights a day.

The airline currently operates a brand new fleet of 19 Airbus A-320 aircraft, with an average age of 1.5 years and 24 ATR Turboprop aircraft. Since its inception in August 2003, Air Deccan has carried over 9 million passengers and the numbers are growing everyday. The airline has recorded an on time performance of (within 1 hour) of 98.19 per cent for February 2007.