- The Parliament has passed the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India, (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
- The bill amends the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008. The Act established the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA).
- 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.
- The bill increases the threshold of annual passenger traffic for major airports from 15 lakhs to over 35 lakh passengers.
- Earlier, the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008 defines a major airport as one with annual passenger traffic over 15 lakhs, or any other airports as notified by the central government.
- The Bill allows AERA to bid out any new airport at a pre-determined tariff structure.
- The Bill adds that AERA will not determine: a) the tariff, b) tariff structures, or c) the development fees, in certain cases. These cases include those where such tariff amounts were a part of the bid document on the basis of which the airport operations were awarded.
