Mumbai:
Fliers taking a taxi to reach their private aircraft at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai will have to pay hefty amount, thanks to privatization.
According to new security measures, only vehicles approved by Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) can ply inside the airport. Private operators run all these vehicles.
The minimum fare to hire a taxi via Gate No 8 at Kalina (old airport) is above Rs 5,000, which is more than the fare to New Delhi on a scheduled flight.
For instance, flying a C-90, the smallest six-seater private aircraft, costs around Rs 60,000 for an hour. The six passengers will need two Mercedes (each accommodates three passengers) at a cost of Rs 10,000 per taxi. The distance between Gate No 8 and the aircraft hangar is less than a kilometre.
"This rate could be the highest in India," said an airport official. A month ago, there were no charges for private vehicles entering from the VIP gate.
On the other hand, at the Juhu aerodrome, entry of private vehicles has been prohibited after 26/11. And passengers are not charged anything extra for vehicles provided.
Spokesperson of MIAL, Manish Kalkatki, refused to comment on the new rate. Neither did he respond to a text message sent by Mid-Day.
"MIAL charges exorbitant fare in the absence of low-cost cars," said Ameya Gore of Airnetz Charter, a firm that provides booking service for chartered flights. "The fares could be increased in the near future. If and when that happens, the additional cost will have to be borne by clients."