India’s privatised airports are among the most expensive international airports in their category.
Delhi has been rated as one of the most expensive and Mumbai among least expansive airports in an apple-to-apple comparison between international airports handling 20 to 35 million passengers annually.
But from a Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) exchange rate prospective, Delhi and Mumbai are most expensive in their group.
This is both for narrow and wide-body aircraft operations, according to airline sources who quoted a recent report on comparison of airport charges submitted by International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The report is currently under review by the ministry of civil aviation.
The comparison is for international flights and not for domestic operations by Indian carriers. The cost includes charges paid by airlines and the fees paid by passengers. The findings have been shared with the ministry and airlines.
As per the findings, Bangalore and Hyderabad are among the most expansive airports for both narrow and wide-body aircraft operations in comparison with airports which handle 2 to 15 million passengers annually.
As per the findings, cost at Airport Authority of India-owned Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai airports are the lowest. So is the privatised Cochin airport.
{{/usCountry}}As per the findings, cost at Airport Authority of India-owned Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai airports are the lowest. So is the privatised Cochin airport.
{{/usCountry}}The Association of Private Airports Operators (APAO), while rejecting the findings said that a study by Jacob Consultancy ranked Mumbai airport 50th in a sample of 50 worldwide representative airports.
“This clearly indicates that charges at Mumbai (Delhi airport has similar charges) were amongst the lowest.” APAO said.