Govt waives parking fee at airports for a week

New Delhi: Government today said parking charges at airports across country are being waived till the midnight of November 21, as people continue to face difficulties in tendering change following the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. The directive would be applicable on both Airports Authority of India (AAI) as well as privately operated aerodromes. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to suspend the collection of parking charges at all airports till November 21 midnight, an official release said. It will take effect from midnight tonight. This step has been taken to facilitate the smooth movement of passengers, the ministry said. There are 75 operational airports including six run under joint ventures. According to AAI, the decision not to charge any carparking fee for seven days has been taken in view of the demonetisation of currency and crisis of smaller denominations. "AAI as per the government guidelines has decided not tocharge any car parking fee for seven days starting from midnight tonight," an AAI official said. Details regarding financial compensation to private entities running parking areas at airports would be decided later, the official added. Nearly a week after the government withdrew Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes as part of a crackdown against black money and corruption, queues outside banks and ATMs have only gotten longer. Against this backdrop, the Finance Ministry today began a daily review exercise to assess problem areas and put in place remedial measures.