Govt says no to congestional surcharge

New Delhi: The Government on Tuesday asked all domestic airlines not to impose Rs 150 surcharge being levied for traffic congestion in airports.

"I do not accept this position. I will, in fact, ask all airlines not to impose this surcharge," Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said on the sidelines of a conference by International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Major domestic airlines such as Kingfisher, Jet and Air Sahara had last week decided to impose a congestion surcharge of Rs 150 per ticket, with effect from December 1.

Patel said if the airlines wanted, they could raise fares and the Government would not interfere. "If they want to raise fares, they can do it because Government does not interfere in fixation of fares," he said.

Patel said congestion was not there in all airports, but only in Delhi and Mumbai. "I will advise (state-run carrier) Indian that it should not be a part of this move. We can't mandate them but this is an advise," he said. Patel also said he would call a meeting of all airlines soon to discuss the issue.