The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Act, 2021

## Report on the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Amendment Act, 2021 **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Amendment Act, 2021 (Amendment Act). The Amendment Act modifies the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008 (Original Act) to include "a group of airports" within the definition of airports subject to regulation. This amendment expands the scope of the Authority's regulatory power. The key finding is that this adjustment broadens the Authority's jurisdiction, potentially impacting a wider range of airport operations and related economic activities. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview and analysis of the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Amendment Act, 2021 (Amendment Act), based solely on the provided text. The purpose is to inform stakeholders about the specific changes introduced by this amendment to the original legislation. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Original Policy Amended:** Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008. * **Core Objective(s):** The amendment aims to modify the scope of the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008, by including the regulation of "a group of airports". The original Act's objectives are not explicitly stated in the provided text, but the amendment suggests it concerns the economic regulation of airports in India. **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment expands the scope of the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008 to include the regulation of "a group of airports," indicating the original act potentially had limitations in addressing economic regulations related to such groups. The amendment likely aims to address situations where a coordinated or interconnected set of airports operates as a single economic entity, ensuring comprehensive economic oversight. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This section focuses on the specific changes introduced by the amendment. * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** Section 2, clause i of the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008. * **New Rule/Provision:** After the words "any other airport," the words "or a group of airports" are inserted. * **Difference/Effect of the Change:** The change broadens the definition of "airport" within the original act to encompass "a group of airports." This implies that the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India can now regulate and exercise its powers over a collection of airports that might be operating under a single management or agreement. This expansion likely brings coordinated airport operations under the regulatory umbrella. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the amendment, the directly affected stakeholders include: * The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India. * Airport operators, particularly those operating or managing multiple airports as a group. * Airlines and passengers using the affected airports. * Investors and other entities involved in airport infrastructure and related services. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Central Government is responsible for appointing the date on which the amendment comes into force through notification in the Official Gazette. The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India is responsible for implementing the amendment. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendment will come into force on a date determined by the Central Government and published in the Official Gazette. No specific procedures are detailed within this amendment text. * **Implementation Aspects Related to the Changes:** Implementation will require the Authority to interpret and apply its existing regulations and procedures to the newly included "group of airports". **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this amendment is to provide the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India with explicit authority to regulate the economic activities of groups of airports. The potential impact includes: * More comprehensive regulation of the airport sector. * Greater transparency and accountability in the economic operation of airport groups. * Potentially impacting airport charges and service levels. * Changes to how airport operators manage coordinated activities between multiple airports. **9. Conclusion:** The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Amendment Act, 2021, expands the regulatory purview of the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India to include "a group of airports." This change addresses a potential gap in the original legislation. This modification should result in more comprehensive oversight of airport economic activities and potentially lead to changes in how airport groups are managed and regulated. The industry should monitor the implementation of this amendment and its impact on airport operations and charges.

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