The Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has issued a notice to Adani group-owned Ahmedabad airport for sharply raising user charges for charter flights during the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup. The notice says that levying charges not approved by the authority is illegal. AERA has also summoned the top management of the airport to discuss the issue, it is learnt. The airport increased ground handling charges by more than 10 times in mid-September, sparking a backlash from major airlines who complained to AERA that the sudden increases were illegal and were making charter operations unviable.
According to the tariff list issued by the Ahmedabad airport in September, the airport has levied a minimum of Rs 265,000 as general aviation charges for any charter flight carrying more than 15 passengers. Above that, it will charge Rs 17,667 per passenger. The airport also levied extra charges on special flights operated during the Indian Premier League at Rs 6,000 per passenger. These are over and above the landing and parking charges, as per a report.