Airports Economic Regulatory Authority Bill, 2019

Airports Economic Regulatory Authority Bill
Question: Consider the following statements regarding the introduction of the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2019
(1) AERA is a regulator that has the powers to set the tariffs charged at airports.
(2) The bill seeks to increase the threshold of annual passenger traffic for major airports to over 35 lakh from above 15 lakh.
Of the above, correct statement/s is/are:

(a) Only (1)
(b) Only (2)
(c) Both (1) and (2)
(d) None of the above
Answer: (c)
Related facts:
  • The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed in Rajya Sabha on 16th July, 2019.
  • It was introduced in Rajya Sabha on 12th July, 2019 by the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri.
  •  The Bill is yet to be passed by the Lok Sabha.
  •  The bill seeks to amend the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008 which provisions the establishment of Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA).

Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA):

  • The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) is a statutory body constituted under the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008.
  • AERA determines the tariff for the aeronautical services,determine  development fees, Passengers Service Fee as well as monitors the set Performance Standards.
  • Originally,all major airports with an annual capacity of handling over 1.5 million passengers come under the purview of AERA. The Bill seeks to increase the threshold of annual passenger traffic for major airports to over 3.5 million.
  • If the amendment is passed by Parliament, the definition of major airports will change to any aerodrome which has or is designated to have an annual passenger capacity of 3.5 million.
  • Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri notified that as many as 16 airports will be in the purview of AERA. 

Links:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rajya-sabha-passes-aera-amendment-bill/article28486541.ece

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/airports-economic-regulatory-authority-bill-introduced-in-rajya-sabha-1567807-2019-07-12

https://rstv.nic.in/rajya-sabha-passes-aera-amendment-bill.html

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/airports-economic-regulatory-authority-of-india-bill-passed-in-rajya-sabha-5833026/

http://aera.gov.in/content/innerpage/objective–and-functions.php