"International Air Transport Association (IATA) has earlier furnished a graphical comparison with other 26 world airports and observed that out of these airports, IGI airport is the costliest airport," Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said today in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.
However, he said, on compilation of charges of other world airports from International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) documents 7100-2100 and revised charges of IGI airport, "it is revealed that the IGI airport stands at seventh for long haul international, sixth for medium haul international and 19th for short haul international from the top."
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) had revised the tariff for aeronautical services and also determined development fee for the embarking and disembarking passengers of domestic and international flights from May 15.
In reply to a separate question, Singh said that ICAO would be conducting an ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) of India to assess and validate the corrective actions taken by India on the findings and recommendations of the audit of India conducted by the UN's civil aviation regulatory body in October 2006.
The ICAO has found shortcomings in the areas of legislation, organisation, operations, airworthiness, licensing, aerodromes, air navigation services and accident investigation.
"The main area of concern related to shortage of manpower in Directorate General of Civil Aviation, lack of regulation of air navigations services in India, independence of aircraft accident investigation and enforcement of aviation regulations. A majority of the findings and recommendations have been been implemented," Singh said.
