Submit ADF collection details: SC to Centre, AAI

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre and the Airport Authority of India (AAI) to file their respective affidavits indicating details of the agencies which are responsible for the levy, collection, and expenditure of the airport development fees (ADF) collected from the passengers.

A Bench comprising Justice D K Jain and Justice Madan B Lokur directed the government to file its reply within 10 days.

The Bench was hearing an appeal filed by NGO Consumer Online Foundation challenging the levying of ADF of `200 per domestic passenger and `1,300 per international passenger at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport here.

The NGO had appealed challenging the order of the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority Appellate Tribunal, which had dismissed the petition questioning the levy and collection of ADF by the Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) at the IGI.

During the last hearing on July 20, the Bench had observed that ADF collected from passengers was unreasonable and suggested that VIPs be charged for use of special lounges instead of burdening common travellers.

“You are a little unreasonable to passengers. In many airports  abroad, such a huge amount of fee is charged for VIP rooms. In London, they charge 400 pounds per passenger for a small room in VIP lounge. Why can’t you replicate the same here?” the Bench had asked.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com