MP John Brittas demands cancellation of airfare hike; Urges urgent ministerial intervention

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: MP John Brittas has demanded cancellation of the increase in air fares. He wrote to Union Aviation Minister Kinjarappu Rammohan Naidu pointing out the matter. The explanation of the MP is by pointing out that Thiruvananthapuram airport operators are making extra profit by imposing excessive burden on the passengers by adopting wrong methods. In this situation, John Brittas has requested the minister to intervene urgently to review the order regarding rate hike.

Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has approved a 50 percent increase in user fees at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. Currently, the user fee is Rs 950 for international passengers and Rs 450 for domestic passengers. As per the new tariff, domestic passengers will have to pay Rs 770 and international passengers will have to pay Rs 1,540 (excluding taxes). Reportedly, this is less than the increase requested by the airport. But the Adani Group, which is in charge of managing the airport, has not responded about this matter.

Meanwhile, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has achieved record passenger numbers in the first two months of this financial year. The airport was used by 4.44 lakh passengers including domestic and international passengers. The target for current financial year is 50 lakh passengers.

Meanwhile, the airport has been given permission to undertake development work worth Rs 1,200 crore over the next five years. Major development projects include runway recarpeting, international terminal expansion, preparation of master plan and construction of new Air Traffic Control (ATC).