Charges at new Goa airport may go up

NEW DELHI: The proposed airport at Mopa in Goa may prove expensive for passengers and airlines, as the state government has sought the 'shared till' model to determine airport charges. The shared till, or hybrid till, model -which is followed in Delhi, Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports -allows the airport operator to keep a large percentage of its non-aeronautical revenues such as sales of retail outlets and airport parking charges, and these revenues are not factored in when airport charges are determined.

This model makes the air port project more attractive for potential investors, but leads to higher airport user charges compared to 'single till' model where all airport activities and revenues are considered while determining user charges. "We want the centre to allow us to award Mopa airport on 'shared till'," a Goa government representative at a conference called by Union civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju.



The government had recently allowed 'shared till' model for the proposed Navi Mumbai airport, going against the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority's principle of following 'single till' model, which is cheapest for passengers and airlines.