The Airports Authority of India (AAI), for first time, has decided to levy the development fees from passengers at authority operated airports at Kolkata, Chennai, Goa, Ahmedabad and Thiruvananthapuram. It should be recalled that privately operated airports at Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore are already charging such fees from passengers.

Pakyong (Sikkim), Feb 28 : Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel has acknowledged the need for better air connectivity to ensure economic development of remote areas like Sikkim.

Addressing a gathering after performing the Bhumi Pujan for proposed airport at Pakyong near Gangtok in Sikkim on Saturday, he said that air connectivity would facilitate transportation of tourist as well as agricultural and horticultural products of hill states to national and international markets.

New Delhi, Feb 26 : Union Civil Aviation Minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Praful Patel on Thursday sought to downplay the controversy that kicked up after controversial remarks were made about Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in the so-called NCP mouthpiece Rashtravadi.

Patel said that both parties would be together in the forthcoming elections.

Patel's statement came after Rashtravadi made controversial statements against both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Today a warning was extended to private airlines, which are hiking their airfares by forming cartels, by Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel who announced that strict action would be taken against those indulging in such activities.

Mr. Patel said, "As far as raising airfares is concerned, they are outside the domain of the government as airfares are fixed by market forces."

New Delhi, Feb. 11 : Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on wednesday came out strongly against reports of cartelization amongst airlines.

"The Ministry is against any cartelization amongst airlines. We will keep watch and take strict action in any such case. The national carrier Air India will never be a part of it and will ensure that competitive pricing ensures better prices to the passengers. Air India shall act as a counter with better pricing and competitive fares," Patel said.

New Delhi, Jan 14 : Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel today hinted at the possible buying of stakes in domestic aviation sector by foreign airlines.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of ''Petrotech 2009'', the eighth edition of Asia''s largest petroleum exhibition and conference here, Patel said the Indian Government is considering various options to help the aviation industry come out of its current problems.