Patel to seek congestion levy rollback

New Delhi: Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel today said he would hold a meeting with domestic carriers on the issue of levy of congestion surcharge from the passengers.
Private carrier Kingfisher Airlines was the first to levy the Rs 150 per trip congestion surcharge last week. Air Deccan, Jet Airways, SpiceJet, Indigo and GoAir followed suit.
The minister said he would ask state-owned carrier Indian Airlines not to levy any such surcharge. He also said airlines flying in and out of non-metro airports, where congestion was minimal, had no right to levy congestion charge.
However, the airlines contend they have no option but to pass on the additional fuel cost, incurred while hovering over airports, to the passengers, as the air turbine fuel cost is phenomenal.
06/12/06 Crisil Marketwire/Business Standard

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