The Rajya Sabha passed the AERA Bill, 2019 on 16 July. Replying to the discussion on the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) Bill, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, “As many as 16 airports will be in the purview of AERA. All other airports continue to be looked after by the Civil Aviation Ministry.”
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Currently, major airports with an annual capacity to handle one-and-a-half million passengers come under the purview of Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA).
If the amendment is passed by Parliament, the definition of major airports would be changed to any aerodrome which has or is designated to have annual passenger capacity of three-and-a-half million.
The Cabinet on June 24 had approved the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority(Amendment), Bill.
The AERA is a regulator that has the powers to set the tariffs charged at airports.
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) (Amendment) Bill was last approved by the Cabinet during the Modi government’s first tenure in December 2017.
However, it could not be passed in last year’s Monsoon Session.
As a new Lok Sabha has come in place now, the older Bill has lapsed and therefore, the Cabinet approved the Bill again.
About the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA):
The AERA is a regulator that has the powers to set the tariffs charged at airports. It was established under the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008. Currently, the major airports, that have an annual capacity to handle 1.5 million passengers, falls under the purview of Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA).
