CAA questioned over entry fee at airport

CAA questioned as to why it is levying a Rs20 entry fee on selected individuals entering the Airport at Islamabad.

Express October 23, 2010

KARACHI: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been questioned as to why it is levying a Rs20 entry fee on selected individuals entering the Benazir Bhutto International Airport at Islamabad.

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) had written a letter to the authority, asking it to explain the objective of such a fee and whether it is providing any additional services or facilities in lieu of the fee.

According to a press release issued by the CCP on Saturday, the regulator has discovered that the entry fee is levied on all persons entering the airport except for ticketed passengers and their drivers. Certain government officials and those accompanying them also appear to be exempt from paying the fee. Hence, CAA’s new policy has neither been publicised nor is it being efficiently implemented.

Concerned that such conduct may amount to abuse of dominant position, the CCP wrote a letter on October 12 seeking information and clarification regarding the said policy.

It had requested that the CAA respond to its query by October 18, however, no response has been received. The regulator has in turn has sent a reminder urging the CAA to respond.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (1)

Mir | 13 years ago | Reply In Lahore the CAA contractor levies a parking charge of over Rs40 on any person for first 3 hours, even if he is holding a ticket and wants to drop the passenger in the parking lot. This is unjust. People dropping passengers and moving out of the Parking Lot within 30 minutes must be levied a nominal charge of Rs15 only, which is what was being charged previously. Those exempted are only those with permission from CAA. Cars and limousines belonging to government or parliamentarians are allowed to go through the drive-in-lane to receive incoming passengers. CAA must provide complimentary services only to those holding valid tickets, because they have already paid their tax at time of purchasing air travel ticket. Parking charges for other visitors must be levied to discourage those coming there just out of curiosity.

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