Delhi High Court Quizzes Government Over Commercial Flights From Hindon Airbase
New Delhi [India], March 17 (ANI): The Delhi High Court has served a notification to the Union of India and other parties involved following a petition submitted by Delhi International Airport Limited ( DIAL ) contesting the administration's choice to permit business aviation services Hindon Airforce Station , an air defense base close to Delhi.
Justice Sachin Datta, who is handling the case, ordered the government to submit its reply within three weeks. The subsequent hearing is set for April 28.
Senior Counsel Maninder Singh, advocating for DIAL suggested that the Government of India might authorize the creation of a new airport solely under particular circumstances. Such prerequisites encompass the current airport attaining maximum passenger capacity, an absence of available flight slots, and guarantees ensuring that the proposed airport wouldn’t compromise the economic viability of the present infrastructure.
DIAL In its appeal, expressed worries about notifications released by the Airports Authority of India ( AAI ) on October 31, 2023, to multiple airlines. The messages these notifications conveyed were regarding the accessibility of the Hindon Airforce Station For commercial flight activities, we urged them to consider expanding the number of flights from the airbase and to provide their flight timetables for review. AAI 's slot allocation team.
DIAL argued that allowing commercial flights from Hindon might undermine the economic stability of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). Additionally, the petition contended that this governmental move went against aviation rules that forbid setting up a new airport within a 150-kilometer range of an existing facility unless there is sufficient passenger traffic to justify it.
Pointing out a possible bias due to conflicting interests, DIAL alleged that AAI , which manages the Hindon facility, also has an ownership share in DIAL and holds three seats on the board. DIAL contended that AAI , having access to sensitive information about DIAL has worked counter to their interests with regard to business strategies.
The plea also emphasized DIAL represents significant expenditures totaling around INR 29,374.58 crore by December 2024 aimed at upgrading and expanding IGIA to accommodate higher passenger and cargo traffic. Furthermore, an extra INR 15,000 crore is being invested in both aeronautical and non-aeronautical infrastructure improvements. Additionally, DIAL Concessionaires have invested substantially in different airport infrastructures. (ANI)