According to the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Aviation Security Fees (ASF) for domestic passengers would be increased to Rs200 and for international travellers to USD 12, starting from April 1. 

According to an official statement, the global airlines body IATA has requested the government to not take this step because it would be damaging to the aviation sector&rsquos recovery efforts.

The regional vice president, Asia Specific, International Air Transport Association (IATA), Conrad Clifford has written to Hardeep Singh Puri, the civil association minister, arguing that the &ldquoaviation industry is facing the biggest challenge of its history due to the pandemic and it is trying to restart itself while insuring it does not become a vector for COVID-19.&rdquo

&ldquoIt is worthwhile to note that various other governments and service providers are freezing or reducing charges in response to the current crisis to facilitate a quicker recovery for traffic. The IATA would respectfully request the government of India to consider delaying or suspending the planned increase in ASF rates effective April 1, 2021,&rdquo Clifford said.

The aviation sector has been severely affected due to the coronavirus pandemic as travelling had come to a halt. Airlines across the country had adopted cost-cutting measures like leave without pay, laying off employees, and pay cuts.