Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill,  2021 introduced in Lok Sabha

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 24

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri on Wednesday introduced the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

The Bill proposes to amend the definition of “major airport” so as extend its scope to determine the tariff for a group of airports also, which will encourage development of smaller airports.

The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India has been determining the tariffs of aeronautical charges at major airports in the country.

Under the present Act, a”major airport” has been defined to mean any airport which has, or is designated to have, annual passengers in excess of three and a half million. However, it does not provide for determination of tariff for a group of airports.

Developing more number of airports through public-private partnership mode would expand air connectivity to relatively remote and far-flung areas.

Therefore, the government has decided to club or pair airports having profitable and non-profitable airports which could be offered in public-private partnership mode as a package to the prospective bidders.