Rajya Sabha Members Voice Concerns on Thiruvananthapuram Airport Tariff Hike

Two Rajya Sabha members from Kerala have raised concerns about the increased tariffs at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. They have requested the civil aviation ministry to review these changes. John Brittas (CPI-M) and Binoy Viswam (CPI) wrote separate letters to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu after the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) approved the new tariffs.

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Concerns Over Increased Tariffs

The revised tariffs, which include higher User Development Fees (UDF) and landing charges, will be effective from July 1. The airport is managed by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. Brittas expressed serious concerns over these significant tariff hikes. He urged the minister to instruct relevant authorities to review these increases urgently to protect passengers and the airport from excessive financial burdens.

Brittas highlighted that the substantial rise in UDF and other charges would heavily burden passengers and airlines. This could reduce the accessibility and affordability of air travel for citizens in southern Kerala and beyond. He claimed that the airport operator aims to maximise revenue from passengers by significantly increasing UDF and other charges while underreporting non-operational revenue, which could otherwise help subsidise passenger fares.

Impact on Passengers

According to Brittas, such business practices need immediate attention to safeguard passenger interests. "Such unscrupulous business practices must be addressed promptly to protect the interests of passengers," he stated in his letter.

Viswam also flagged concerns about the tariff revisions, seeking the minister's intervention to reduce UDF and landing charges at the airport. He mentioned that the entry of Adani Group into the civil aviation sector has already added significant difficulties and financial burdens on passengers.

Appeal for Ministerial Intervention

Viswam emphasised that he expects a decision favouring ordinary people of Kerala who travel from Thiruvananthapuram airport rather than one benefiting Adani Group. "I expect your decision to be in favour of the thousands of ordinary people of Kerala travelling from the Trivandrum airport and not one benefitting the Adani Group," Viswam said in his letter.

The revised tariffs approved by AERA have sparked significant concern among local representatives, who fear that these changes will negatively impact air travel affordability and accessibility for many citizens.

The intervention sought by Brittas and Viswam aims to ensure that passenger interests are prioritised over corporate gains, highlighting a broader issue within India's civil aviation sector regarding tariff regulations and their impact on travellers.

The letters sent by Brittas and Viswam underscore a critical need for regulatory oversight to balance revenue generation with passenger affordability, ensuring fair practices within the aviation industry.