Tribunal stays jet parking charges levied by Mumbai airport

Mumbai: In a relief to private business jet operators, the appellate tribunal of the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (Aera) has stayed the penal parking charges levied by the Mumbai airport.

The tribunal also has fixed 4 January as the next date for hearing in the case, a release by the Business Aircraft Operator’s Association (BAOA), the umbrella body of private jet operators, said in Mumbai on Friday.

[caption id=“attachment_549863” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Image for representation only. AP[/caption]

“This has come as a big relief for the private jet operators,” association president Rohit Kapur said. The Mumbai airport spokesman could not be reached for comments.

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The association had approached the airports regulator, challenging the “unilateral” decision of the Mumbai airport to impose penalty on business jets, ranging between Rs 1,000 and Rs 15,000 per hour, for overstaying and extended use of the parking bays this July.

The Mumbai airport has 28 parking bays being used by 70-90 private jets.

The association argued that the parking charges form part of aeronautical services and any increase in tariff falls within the jurisdiction of the Aera.

It also contended that the penalty was imposed without seeking any approval from the Aera.

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A certificate from the DGCA notifies the parking slots for private jets across all airports. The association first challenged the Mumbai airport’s decision at the Aera in August this year. Since several rounds of discussions failed to bring any solution, the association moved the tribunal, seeking interim relief.

It further alleged that even before the Aera could review the matter, the airport unilaterally imposed penal charges from 1 July.

After hearing the parties, the tribunal directed the airport to maintain status on the charges and directed it to continue to charge only the rates approved by the Airports Authority, the association claimed.

PTI