Srinagar declared a ‘major airport’

Srinagar declared a ‘major airport’

Part of: Prelims and GS-III – Economy 

Context The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation declared the Srinagar airport a “major airport” under the Airports Economic Authority Act, 2008 (AERA).

Key takeaways 

• In exercise of the powers conferred by the Airports Economic Authority Act, 2008, the Central Government has declared the airport of Srinagar as major airport.
• The move will allow the AERA to determine the tariff, including the development fee and passenger service fee, for aeronautical services at the Srinagar airport.
  • The Centre designates an airport as a major airport if it crosses a particular volume of annual passenger traffic.
• Previously, the Airports Authority of India, a body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, used to determine the tariff for the Srinagar airport.

About Airports Economic Regulatory Authority Act

• The AERA regulates tariffs and other charges for aeronautical services provided at civilian airports with annual traffic above 15 lakh passengers.  
• It also monitors the performance standard of services across these airports. 
• Definition of major airports: The Act defines a major airport as one with annual passenger traffic over 15 lakh, or any other airports as notified by the central government.  The Bill increases the threshold of annual passenger traffic for major airports to over 35 lakh.   
• Tariff determination by AERA: Under the Act, AERA is responsible for determining: 
  • the tariff for aeronautical services at different airports every five years
  • the development fees of major airports
  • the passengers service fee.  
• The AERA amendment Bill 2021 also adds that the central government may group airports and notify the group as a major airport.