

As Jewar gears up, Delhi airport firm seeks jet fuel tax parity to stay in the game
Mint.GMR's appeal, through its airport joint venture Delhi International Airport Ltd (Dial), came just ahead of the launch of the National Capital Region’s second major airport in Jewar, sharpening competition for traffic. With jet fuel accounting for about a third of airline costs, the tax gap risks higher fares and a significant traffic shift, the company said. GMR had made a similar appeal last year too.The company has simultaneously sought the Union civil aviation ministry's backing on the matter.The Jewar airport, 90 km from the IGI airport, the country’s busiest one, was inaugurated on 28 March by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Flight operations are expected to start in another 45 days.VAT on jet fuel, the common name for aviation turbine fuel (ATF), is a state subject, and the rate is decided by the respective state governments.“While the government of NCT of Delhi levies 25% VAT on ATF, neighbouring states, most notably Uttar Pradesh, levy only 1% .... With forthcoming operational launch of Jewar airport in Noida, this difference becomes even more consequential,” Dial's chief executive Videsh Kumar Jaipuriar wrote to the Union civil aviation minister K. Rammohan Naidu in February.
Mint has reviewed a copy of the letter.Dial, a joint venture between GMR Airports and the Airports Authority of India, has developed, manages and operates the IGI airport.The company's letter to the Delhi government, also written in February, was addressed to Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta. "Currently, IGI airport is the only airport in the NCR region and serves the catchment area around it. However, in near future, NCR will have a dual airport system i.e.
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