On June 27, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor stated that measures such as raising fees for Thiruvananthapuram International Airport could negatively impact the airport's expansion and development and should involve more stakeholder participation.
The Congress MP expressed his displeasure and protested the unwarranted increase in the user development fee and other airport costs in a letter he submitted to the director of the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority and the minister of civil aviation, which he uploaded on X, the former Twitter platform. "It is even more important to keep the public interest at the forefront when a private company offers a public service," the author stated.
"Considering the significantly lower rates being offered by the closest competing airport, Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), there is no doubt that this steep cost increase will render Thiruvananthapuram International Airport a less appealing option for airlines and passengers," the MP's letter stated.
The Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) authorized the updated tariff, which increases the airport's User Development Fee (UDF) and landing fees. According to sources, it will take effect for the airport, which is run by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd., on July 1.
Currently, local passengers pay Rs450 and foreign passengers pay Rs950 for the user charge.Domestic travelers will now pay Rs 770 while foreign travelers would pay Rs 1,540 under the revised price (taxes not included).
Legislators from Kerala, meantime, expressed their disapproval of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport's higher fees and asked the civil aviation ministry to take action. John Brittas (CPI-M) and Binoy Viswam (CPI) are two Rajya Sabha members who have written to K Rammohan Naidu, the Minister of Civil Aviation, separately, requesting immediate action on the issue.
