The Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has directed Delhi International Airport (DIAL) run by GMR group to stop collecting domestic cargo handling charges from air cargo agents.
The authority issued the order based on a representation by Domestic Air Cargo Agents Association of India (DACAAI).
The DACAAI had moved AERA against the levy of Terminal, Storage and Processing (TSP) charges, X-Ray screening charges among others by Delhi Cargo Service Centre Pvt Ltd (DCSC) and DIAL at the new terminal at IGI Airport in the national capital.
The DACAAI in its application pointed out that all domestic airlines provide the warehouse and X-Ray screening facilities and the overall freight charges by the airlines are inclusive of the charges for these facilities.
Presently DCSC charges Rs. 3.50 per Kg as TPS charges for both inbound and outbound cargo movements.
The DACAAI also argued that neither DIAL nor DCSC had obtained necessary permission from the AERA.
Arvind Naik, President of DACAAI, the DAIL began collecting charges even before they constructed a terminal.
“We are not against charges. Give us facility and charge rationally,” Mr. Naik told PTI.
Responding to a query on the charges being collected at other airports like Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad which are also managed by private operators, Mr. Naik said the AERA order for Delhi Airport may hold good for other airports also.
However, he said he has to examine the order copy.
