Airlines based at Pune airport may switch their cargo operations to Mumbai Airport if the Airport Authority of India (AAI) manages to push through a 36.3 per cent levy for the use of the docking area at Pune, according to Shipping Gazette.
In a letter to Pune Airline Operations Committee (PAOC) all six airlines engaged in cargo operations at Pune airport - Indigo, Spice Jet, Go Air, Air India and Jet Airways - underscored their opposition to the plan.
"We fear that these additional charges will result in a severe setback to the air cargo business from Pune airport, which was developed by the airlines over the years," the letter said.
The charge will be levied on each airline's annual gross turnover. "The air cargo business at Pune airport was developed by the airlines though years of toil even though no proper facility for the growth of the business has been made available by AAI, the letter said.
"Airlines have, at times, airlifted cargo at no profit to support the cause of trade, commerce and industry in Pune," said PAOC chairman Dhairyashil Vandekar.
"AAI has provided covered sheds and go-downs to airlines for carrying out their cargo operations, for which the airlines are already paying them.
"When these covered areas have been provided to airlines by AAI, it is their duty to provide a docking area for transporters [trucks] to have access to these offices and for loading/unloading of cargo," said Mr Vandekar.
He said that the area now being used for docking has not been customized by AAI for cargo operations and nor have the authorities created any infrastructure to facilitate airlines' cargo operations on this open land, reported Mumbai Mid-Day Media.
"Moreover, the AAI has been charging the vehicles of the general public and shippers coming into this area to collect or book cargo," said the chairman.
An airline official, requesting anonymity, said, "Airlines are never charged for the docking area in any airport in the country.
"AAI can charge only if an area is specifically allotted to an airline as per its requirement and if a space agreement is done. It cannot charge airlines for the docking area used by transporters and the general public."
