Controlling the skies
Indias aviation boom has forced the Government to modernise airports with private participation. But the Government still wants to play Big Brother, by putting in place a regulatory authority to keep a watch over private airports in places such as Kochi, Hyderabad and Bangalore.
On Thursday, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel will place before the Cabinet a proposal for an Airport Economic Regulatory Authority with wide-ranging powers.
▪ The body will determine the tariff structure the airports charges for different services
▪ The authority will also monitor the performance of the private airports, ensuring they maintain the required standards for passengers and provide quality service
▪ The authority will oversee investment in airports and issues relating to navigation, and ensure healthy competition between airports.