Clearing decks for take-off

Clearing decks for take-off
User Fee, Dedicated Bus Lane, SEZ And Security Measures Evolved For Devanahalli Airport
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

You will have to pay user fee
Bangalore: Passengers departing from Bangalore International Airport, which will open on March 28 next year, will have to pay a ‘user development fee’ (UDF), but the quantum is yet to be decided.
Sources in the government said Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) has proposed two different categories of UDF to be levied on domestic and international passengers. “The amount proposed by BIAL is on the higher side, a feeling which is also shared by the civil aviation ministry. Therefore, it has not been approved,’’ they added. A BIAL spokesperson said the UDF has been included in the detailed project report when the greenfield airport was being set up at Devanahalli.
The procedural guidelines issued by the civil aviation ministry to set-up greenfield airports also permit for levy of UDF. They include:
Centre may levy an Advance Development Fee (ADF) on embarking passengers at the existing airport or for the development of new airport on terms and conditions as per ADF rules framed by the ministry.
Greenfield airport operator may be allowed to levy UDF at the new airport, subject to the regulatory regime in force.
Passenger Service Fees (PSF) levied at all airports will be applicable to the greenfield airports also. ADF/UDF will be charged in addition to the PSF. PSF being levied through passenger tickets will have two components: security charges, levy for airport maintenance and upkeep. The PSF components collected through airline passenger tickets will be passed on by the airline to AAI as far as security component is concerned, and the greenfield operator for service component.
Second runway: Sources said talks were also on to decide on the second runway, which is scheduled to be ready by 2013. The BIAL has acquired land on the southern side of the airport premises, while the defence ministry wants it on the northern side.