Vidhi Codex

AERA Act, 2008

The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008

Infrastructure200855 sections7 chapters

The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008, established a federal body to oversee airport finances and service quality. It primarily regulates "major airports"—those handling over 5 million passengers annually—along with private and leased facilities. The Act sets tariffs for essential "aeronautical services," such as landing, fuel, and ground handling, while monitoring performance to ensure service reliability. This legislation matters because it prevents overcharging and ensures transparency for passengers and cargo users. By establishing a dedicated Appellate Tribunal for resolving disputes, the Act creates a fair environment that balances airport profitability with the public’s right to efficient, reasonably priced travel.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I PRELIMINARY →

  1. 1Short title, commencement and application.
  2. 2Definitions.

Chapter II THE AIRPORTS ECONOMIC REGULATORY AUTHORITY →

  1. 3Establishment of Authority.
  2. 4Composition of Authority.
  3. 5Constitution of Selection Committee to recommend Members.
  4. 6Terms of office and other conditions of service, etc., of Chairperson and Members.
  5. 7Power of Chairperson.
  6. 8Removal and suspension of Members.
  7. 9Appointment of Secretary, experts, professionals and officers and other employees of Authority.
  8. 10Meetings.
  9. 11Authentication.
  10. 12Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of Authority.

Chapter III POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE AUTHORITY →

  1. 13Functions of Authority.
  2. 14Powers of Authority to call for information, conduct investigations, etc.
  3. 15Power of Authority to issue certain directions.
  4. 16Power of seizure.

Chapter IV APPELLATE TRIBUNAL →

  1. 17Establishment of Appellate Tribunal.
  2. 18Application for settlement of disputes and appeals to Appellate Tribunal.
  3. 19Composition of Appellate Tribunal.
  4. 20Qualifications for appointment of Chairperson and Members.
  5. 21Term of office.
  6. 22Terms and conditions of service.
  7. 23Vacancies.
  8. 24Removal and resignation.
  9. 25Staff of Appellate Tribunal.
  10. 26Decision to be by majority.
  11. 27Members, etc., to be public servants.
  12. 28Civil court not to have jurisdiction.
  13. 29Procedure and powers of Appellate Tribunal.
  14. 30Right to legal representation.
  15. 31Appeal to Supreme Court.
  16. 32Orders passed by Appellate Tribunal to be executable as a decree.

Chapter V FINANCE, ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT →

  1. 33Budget.
  2. 34Grants by Central Government.
  3. 35Annual statement of accounts.
  4. 36Furnishing of returns, etc., to Central Government.

Chapter VI OFFENCES AND PENALTIES →

  1. 37Penalty for wilful failure to comply with orders of Appellate Tribunal.
  2. 38Punishment for non-compliance of orders and directions under this Act.
  3. 39Punishment for non-compliance with order of Authority or Appellate Tribunal.
  4. 40Offences by companies.
  5. 41Offences by Government Departments.

Chapter VII MISCELLANEOUS →

  1. 42Directions by Central Government.
  2. 43Members, officers and employees of Authority to be public servants.
  3. 44Bar of jurisdiction.
  4. 45Protection of action taken in good faith.
  5. 46Exemption from tax on wealth and income.
  6. 47Cognizance of offences.
  7. 48Delegation of powers.
  8. 49Power of Central Government to supersede Authority.
  9. 50Application of other laws not barred.
  10. 51Power to make rules.
  11. 52Power to make regulations.
  12. 53Rules and regulations to be laid before Parliament.
  13. 54Amendment of certain enactments.
  14. 55Power to remove difficulties.

PDF: pending for this language.