In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has affirmed that the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) is entitled to appeal against decisions made by the Telecommunications Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT). This decision, reached by a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, addresses TDSAT’s prior determination that AERA does not possess the authority to regulate tariffs for non-aeronautical services such as Ground Handling Services (GHS) and Cargo Handling Services (CHS).
The Supreme Court’s intervention comes as discussions intensify around the fares charged to passengers for essential airport facilities, ground handling, cargo operations, and post-flight services. The implications of this ruling may significantly shape the regulatory landscape of airport services in India, affecting both providers and consumers alike.
