AAI proposes hike in UDF at Chennai airport

Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to increase the user development fee (UDF) and landing charges at the Chennai airport. The new UDF, to be effective from January 1, 2013, for domestic passengers will be Rs 165 and for international passengers Rs 667. AAI has proposed to increase the current international and domestic landing charges by November 2012. Protest over clearance to Aranmula airport project Environmental activists, political parties and religious organisations have opposed the Aranmula airport project. As the Assembly Committee on Environment observed that the Industries Department had not conducted any geographical and environmental impact assessment or held any discussions with allied departments before granting in-principle clearance to the airport project. The Chairman and a member of the committee deemed it improper to go ahead with the project before conducting such studies as it would destroy huge extent of paddy fields, drinking water resources, and the ecosystem.