Flyers from Mumbai will have to pay the development fee (DF) of Rs 120 and Rs 720 per departing domestic and international passenger, respectively to June 30, 2022
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has extended the levy of fee from March 31, 2022, to June-end. Along with this, the regulatory body has also instructed Airports Authority of India (AAI) to “examine all issues being raised by Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL)” on this subject in a week by May 15. The fee dates back to December 2012, when AERA had announced charging a DF of Rs 100 and Rs 600 per departing domestic and international passenger, respectively, till April 30, 2021. This was aimed at financing a deficit of Rs 3,845 crore in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) capacity enhancement project.
In addition to this, the regulator, in January 2016, also allowed a levy of Rs 20 and Rs 120 per departing domestic and international passenger, respectively, till March 31, 2021, to finance metro works at the airport worth Rs 518 crore. These two fees merged together to total Rs 120 and Rs 720 per departing domestic and international passenger. From March-end 2021, the levy of DF was extended for a year owing to the Covid-19 pandemic as it affected the footfalls and collection. Then on MIAL’s request, AERA extended these two levies till March 31, 2022. According to the regulator’s order dated March 28, 2022, “A further request was received from MIAL for extension of the period of levy.
due to shortfall in the collection. beyond March 31, 2022 on an interim basis.” Meanwhile, AERA was informed by AAI in March about the DF collected from passengers. DF to be billed as on September 30, 2021, is Rs 401.9 crore, AAI told. However, as per MIAL, DF billable (on that date) is Rs 1459 crore. Further (AAI informed) MDF (metro DF) to be billed by MIAL as on as on September 30, 2021, is Rs 89.6 crore. MIAL had claimed outstanding MDF as on September 30, 2021, as Rs 106.8 crore. In addition, AAI has pointed out certain issues of importance in the DF and MDF audit reports and MIAL’s claim, which needs to be sorted out.AERA has given time till May 15 to sort this out.
