In a bid to reduce operating costs of airlines as well as to improve West Bengal's air connectivity, the state government Tuesday announced waiver and reduction in taxes on aviation turbine fuel at some airports.
"We have decided that there will be no tax on aviation fuel at Durgapur, Coochbehar and Bagdogra airports for next three years. There will be a tax holiday for three years. The tax at Kolkata (airport) has been reduced from 30 percent to 15 percent," Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee told mediapersons at the state secretariat here.
The union civil aviation ministry wrote to various state governments, including West Bengal, requesting a cut in taxes on aviation turbine fuel.
With the Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Ltd inking a memorandum of understanding with Pawan Hans Helicopters to start chopper services between Kolkata and Durgapur in Burdwan district, Banerjee said similar services will soon be started in cities and towns like Bagdogra, Haldia and Asansol.
She also handed over Rs.15 crore to the Airports Authority of India for development of landing facility at the Cooch Behar airport in north Bengal.
