In another hard-hitting move to the flyers, the Central Government has increased the Aviation Security Fee (ASF) for the passengers. For domestic travellers, the ASF fee will be INR 150, and for international travellers, it will be $4.85. The revised pay will come into effect from 1 July 2019.
“The above rates of the ASF will be applicable with effect from 00.01 hours of 01.07.2019 and will replace the PSF (SC) which was being charged so far at the rate of Rs. 130 per embarking passenger for tickets issued against Indian Rupees and USD 3.25 per embarking passenger for tickets issued against foreign currency,” an order from the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated.
The ASF will replace the PSF, which stands of passenger service fee (security component a.k.a. SC).
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There was a constant demand from the airport operators to raise the passenger security fee citing that the efforts to handle the security-related operations have increased. In Delhi, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) that provides security to the Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport had earlier written to the Civil Aviation Ministry requesting it to intervene in releasing the pending dues from Delhi airport. Delhi airport reportedly owed CISF a total of INR 655.40 crores as pending for the services it provided.
In response to the Government, Delhi airport authorities blamed the unrevised aviation security fee and claimed it to be low to fulfil the requirement. “DIAL is working in a fiduciary capacity on behalf of the government and utilising the funds as per the directions by government authorities from time to time. It is unfair that DIAL is being projected as responsible for non-payment or delayed payment. The fact of the matter is that airport security is a sovereign function reserved for Government of India, and hence it is the primary responsibility of the ministry of civil aviation to ensure payment of dues to CISF,” DIAL quoted in the response letter (as seen by The Hindustan Times).
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