Terming the step as completely "unacceptable", "illegal", Business Aircraft Operator's Association (BAOA) said increasing the penalty charges by Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) was beyond the purview of the private airport developer.
MIAL has increased the penalty charges to Rs 1,000-Rs 15,000 per hour compared from Rs 20 to Rs 70 per metric tonne per hour charged by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) previously. The new charges came into effect from July 1.
These penalties were applicable on those private aircraft which are registered outside Mumbai, and parked at domestic airport beyond an agreed number of days.
"To restrict the movement of aircraft by levying such penalties is completely unacceptable, illegal, and beyond the purview of private airport developers, without the sanction of requisite government agencies which have been appointed to oversee such levies," President of BAOA, Rohit Kapur said here in a statement.
He said an aircraft registered in India can be used anywhere in the country and its movement cannot be restricted to limited airports, as this defeats the very purpose of private aircraft.
"Going by the book, all such penalties have to be approved by Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA). Such penalties cannot be levied by any private companies like MIAL," Kapur said.