As it pitches for increase in aeronautical tariffs at the IGI airport, airport operator -- Delhi International Airport Limited -- has come up with a rate card proposing charges according to the type of aircraft from the airlines.

DIAL has also proposed to impose user development fee from arriving passengers, who at present don't have to pay any such cess for using the infrastructure. 

"The proposed innovative rate card will provide the airlines an opportunity to pay the landing charges as per the weight of the aircraft, like less than 100 metric tonnes and more than 100 metric tonnes," a senior DIAL official, not wishing to be named, said.

DIAL has declared a loss of Rs 229 crore in Q3 of this fiscal year saying huge investment on upgrading a deficient infrastructure, whopping rise in traffic and operational cost are prompting it to pitch for a hike in airport tariff.

DIAL had said that losses were due to the pending tariff revision. It had strongly pitch for a one-time jump of a hefty 874 per cent in tariff rates for a 5-year period from 2009-10 to 2013-14 with the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority.

Apart from it, the rate card also proposes to charge both types of passengers, departing as well as arriving, "which is followed globally".

"Many airports, globally -- like Brussels, Denver, Phoenix, Boston, Sydney, Auckland, Brisbane -- follow this mechanism as it helps in mitigating costs pressure on departing passengers," the official said.

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