IATA Raises Concerns Over Substantial Increase in Airport Charges in India
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) raised concerns over the sharp rise in airport charges in India, emphasising the need for regulations to ensure that costs remain manageable, allowing more individuals to travel by air. In India, the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) approves tariffs for major airports, but there has been a recent increase in charges at certain airports.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh after privatisation of some airports said, “India needs to be congratulated for the investment infrastructure in recent years which will pay dividends but only if costs are controlled. At the moment, we continue to be concerned around the very significant increase in airport charges in India.
IATA which represents approximately 330 airlines, including those from India, accounts for more than 80 per cent of global air traffic. During the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation in the capital, Walsh commented that certain regions are seeing positive cooperation and dialogue concerning airport charges. Some areas have implemented economic regulations to ensure these charges remain moderate.
The IATA chief said about India being one of the countries having the highest airports charges, “it is being in the highest levels that we have seen in airports around the world.” India is one of the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets and has more than 150 operational airports.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, in the conference, said, the number of domestic air passengers in the country climbed from 67 million in 2014 to 152 million in 2024.
