29. Submission of annual report.—(1) The Authority shall, as soon as may be after the end of each
financial year, prepare and submit to the Central Government in such form as may be prescribed a report
giving an account of its activities during that financial year and the report shall also give an account of the
activities which are likely to be undertaken by the Authority during the next financial year.
(2) The Central Government shall cause such report to be laid before both Houses of Parliament as
soon as may be after it is submitted.
30. Delegation.—The Authority may, by general or special order in writing, delegate to the
Chairperson or any other member or to any officer of the Authority, subject to such conditions and
limitations, if any, as may be specified in the order, such of its powers and functions under this
Act, (except the powers under section 42) as it may deem necessary.
31. Authentication of orders and other instruments of the Authority.—All orders and decisions
of the Authority shall be authenticated by the signature of the Chairperson or any other member
authorised by the Authority in this behalf and all other instruments executed by the Authority shall be
authenticated by the signature of an officer of the Authority authorised by it in this behalf.
32. Officers and employees of the Authority to be public servants.—All officers and employees of
the Authority shall, while acting or purporting to act in pursuance of the provisions of this Act or of any
rule or regulation made thereunder, be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of
the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
33. Protection of action taken in good faith.— No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall
lie against the Authority or any member or any officer or other employee of the Authority 1*** for
anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or of any rule or
regulation made thereunder or for any damage sustained by any aircraft or vehicle in consequence of any
defect in any of the airports, civil enclaves, heliports, airstrips, aeronautical communication stations or
other things belonging to or under the control of the Authority.
34. Custody and disposal of lost property.—Subject to such regulations as the Authority may make
in this behalf, the authority shall provide for securing the safe custody and restoration of any property
which, while not in proper custody, is found on any premises belonging to the Authority or under its
overall control or in any aircraft on any such premises.
35. Provisions relating to income-tax.—For the purposes of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961)
or any other enactment for the time being in force relating to income-tax or any other tax on income,
profits or gains, the Authority shall be deemed to be a company within the meaning of the Income-tax
Act, 1961 and shall be liable to tax accordingly on its income, profits and gains.
36. Power of the Authority to undertake certain works.—The Authority may undertake to carry
out on behalf of any person any works or services or any class of works or services on such terms and
conditions as may be agreed upon between the Authority and the person concerned.
37. Power to issue directions.—(1) The Authority or any officer specially authorised by it in this
behalf may, from time to time, by order, issue directions, consistent with the provisions of the Aircraft
Act, 1934 (22 of 1934) and the rules made thereunder, with respect to any of the matters specified in
clauses (f), (h), (i), (j), (k), (m), (p), (qq) and (r) of sub-section (2) of section 5 of that Act, to any person
or persons engaged in aircraft operations or using any airports, heliport, airstrip or civil enclave, in any
1. The words “or the Chairperson of the Tribunal” omitted by Act 33 of 2021, s. 19 (w.e.f. 4-4-2021).
18
case where the Authority or the officer is satisfied that in the interests of the security of India or for
securing the security of the aircraft it is necessary to do so.
(2) Every direction issued under sub-section (1) shall be complied with by the person or persons to
whom such direction is issued.
(3) If any person wilfully fails to comply with any direction issued under this section, he shall be
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend
to five thousand rupees, or with both.
38. Power of the Central Government to temporarily divest the Authority of the management of
any airport.—(1) If, at any time, the Central Government is of opinion that in the public interest it is
necessary or expedient so to do, it may, by order, direct the Authority to entrust the administration,
management or similar other functions of any airport, heliport, airstrip, civil enclave, aeronautical
communication station, or any other agency or department of any airport, heliport, airstrip civil enclave or
aeronautical communication station with effect from such date and to such person as may be specified in
the order and the Authority shall be bound to comply with such direction:
Provided that before an order is made under this sub-section the Authority shall be given a reasonable
opportunity of being heard in the matter.
(2) Where the management of any airport, heliport, airstrip, civil enclave or aeronautical
communication station or any other agency or department thereof is entrusted to any person specified
under sub-section (1) (hereafter referred to in this section as the authorised person), the Authority shall
cease to exercise and discharge all its powers and functions under this Act in relation to such airport,
heliport, airstrip, civil enclave or aeronautical communication station or any other agency or department
thereof and such powers and functions shall be exercised and discharged by the authorised person in
accordance with the instructions, if any, which the Central Government may give to the authorised person
from time to time:
Provided that no such power or function as may be specified by the Central Government by a general
or special order shall be exercised or discharged by the authorised person except with the previous
sanction of the Central Government.
(3) An order made under sub-section (1) shall, unless rescinded, be in operation for a period of six
months from the date on which the management of the airport, heliport, airstrip, civil enclave or
aeronautical communication station or any other agency or department thereof is entrusted to the
authorised person:
Provided that the Central Government may extend such period for a further period or periods not
exceeding eighteen months.
(4) During the operation of an order made under sub-section (1), it shall be competent for the Central
Government to issue, from time to time, such directions to the Authority as are necessary to enable the
authorised person to exercise the powers and discharge the functions of the Authority under this Act in
relation to the airport, heliport, airstrip, civil enclave or aeronautical communication station, or any other
agency or department thereof the management of which has been entrusted to him and in particular to
transfer any sum of money from the fund of the Authority to the authorised person for the management of
the airport, heliport, airstrip, civil enclave or aeronautical communication station or any other agency or
department thereof and every such direction shall be complied with by the Authority.
(5) On the cesser of operation of any order made under sub-section (1) in relation to any airport,
heliport, airstrip, civil enclave or aeronautical communication station, or any other agency or department
thereof the authorised person shall cease to exercise and perform the powers and functions of the
authority under this Act in relation to such airport, heliport, airstrip, civil enclave or aeronautical
communication station or any other agency or department thereof and the Authority shall continue to
exercise and perform such powers and functions in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
(6) On the cesser of operation of any order made under sub-section (1) in relation to any airport,
heliport, airstrip, civil enclave or aeronautical communication station, or any other agency or department
thereof the authorised person shall hand over to the Authority any property (including any sum of money
19
or other asset) remaining with him in connection with the management of such airport, heliport, airstrip,
civil enclave or aeronautical communication station.
(7) Anything done or any action taken lawfully by the authorised person in relation to any airport,
heliport, airstrip, civil enclave or aeronautical communication station or any other agency or department
thereof during the period of operation of an order made under sub-section (1) shall be deemed to have
been done or taken by the Authority and shall be binding on the Authority.
39. Power of the Central Government to supersede the Authority.—(1) If, at any time, the Central
Government is of opinion—
(a) that on account of a grave emergency, the Authority is unable to discharge the functions and
duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act; or
(b) that the Authority has persistently made default in complying with any direction issued by the
Central Government under this Act or in the discharge of the functions and duties imposed on it by or
under the provisions of this Act and as a result of which default the financial position of the
Authority or the administration of any airport, heliport, airstrip, civil enclave or aeronautical
communication station has deteriorated; or
(c) that circumstances exist which render it necessary in the public interest so to do,
the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, supersede the Authority for such
period, not exceeding six months, as may be specified in the notification:
Provided that before issuing a notification under this sub-section for the reasons mentioned in
clause (b), the Central Government shall give a reasonable opportunity to the Authority to show cause
why it should not be superseded and shall consider the explanations and objections, if any, of the
Authority.
(2) Upon the publication of a notification under sub-section (1) superseding the Authority,—
(a) all the members shall, as from the date of supersession, vacate their offices as such;
(b) all the powers, functions and duties which may, by or under the provisions of this Act, be
exercised or discharged by or on behalf of the Authority, shall until the Authority is re-constituted
under sub-section (3), be exercised and discharged by such person or persons as the Central
Government may direct;
(c) all property owned or controlled by the Authority shall, until the Authority is re-constituted
under sub-section (3), vest in the Central Government.
(3) On the expiration of the period of supersession specified in the notification issued under
sub-section (1), the Central Government may—
(a) extend the period of supersession for such further term not exceeding six months, as it may
consider necessary; or
(b) re-constitute the Authority by fresh appointment and in such case the members who vacated
their offices under clause (a) of sub-section (2) shall not be deemed disqualified for appointment:
Provided that the Central Government may, at any time before the expiration of the period of
supersession, whether as originally specified under sub-section (1) or as extended under this
sub-section, take action under clause (b) of this sub-section.
(4) The Central Government shall cause a notification issued under sub-section (1) and a full report of
any action taken under this section and the circumstances leading to such action to be laid before both
Houses of Parliament at the earliest opportunity.
40. Power of the Central Government to issue directions.—(1) Without prejudice to the foregoing
provisions of this Act, the Authority shall, in the discharge of its functions and duties under this Act, be
bound by such directions on questions of policy as the Central Government may give in writing to it from
time to time:
20
Provided that the Authority shall, as far as practicable, be given opportunity to express its views
before any direction is given under this sub-section.
(2) The decision of the Central Government whether a question is one of policy or not shall be final.
(3) The Central Government may, from time to time, issue directions to the Authority regarding the
discharge of any functions to it under clause (e) of sub-section (3) of section 12 and the Authority shall be
bound to comply with such directions.
41. Power to make rules.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act.
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may
provide for—
(a) the period of notice as may be given by the Central Government to terminate the appointment
of any part-time member of the Authority under clause (b) of proviso to
sub-section (1) of section 5;
(b) the conditions of service of the members of the Authority under sub-section (2) of section 5;
(c) the period of notice as may be given by any member to resign his office under sub-section (3)
of section 5;
(d) the provisions subject to which officers and other employees may be appointed by the
Authority and the category of officers to be appointed after approval of the Central Government under
the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 10;
(e) the provisions subject to which the Authority may manage the airports, civil enclaves and
aeronautical communication stations under sub-section (1) of section 12;
1
[(ee) 2
[the rate of development fees in respect of airports other than major airports and] the
manner of regulating and utilising the fees under section 22A;]
(f) the manner in which the Authority may invest its funds under clause (b) of sub-section (3) of
section 24;
(g) the form in which the annual statement of accounts shall be prepared by the Authority under
sub-section (1) of section 28:
1
[(gi) the other manner of serving notice under sub-section (3) of section 28C;
(gii) the other manner of serving notice under sub-section (4) of section 28C;
(giii) the principles of assessment of damages under sub-section (2) of section 28G;
(giv) the rate of simple interest under sub-section (3) of section 28G;
(gv) any other matter under clause (c) of section 28H;]
3* * * * *
(h) the form in which a report giving an account of its activities shall be prepared and submitted
by the Authority to the Central Government under sub-section (1) of section 29; and
(i) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed.
42. Power to make regulations.—(1) The Authority may make regulations not inconsistent with this
Act and the rules made thereunder to provide for all matters for which provision is necessary or expedient
for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of this Act.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such regulations may provide
for—
1. Ins. by Act of 43 of 2003, s.10 (w.e.f. 1-7-2004).
2. Subs. by Act 27 of 2008, s. 54 and the Schedule, for “the rate of development fees and” (w.e.f. 1-1-2009).
3. Clauses (gvi), (gvii), (gviii) and (gix) omitted by Act 33 of 2021, s. 19 (w.e.f. 4-4-2021).
21
(a) the time and places of the meetings of the Authority and the procedure to be followed for the
transaction of business including the quorum at such meetings under sub-section (1) of section 8;
(b) the conditions of service and the remuneration of officers and other employees to be
appointed by the Authority under sub-section (2) of section 10;
(c) the construction of residential accommodation for the officers and other employees appointed
by the Authority under clause (e) of sub-section (3) of section 12;
(d) the storage or processing of goods in any warehouse established by the Authority under
clause (g) of sub-section (3) of section 12 and the charging of fees for such storage or processing;
(e) the contracts or class of contracts which are to be sealed with the common seal of the
Authority and the form and manner in which a contract may be made by the Authority under
sub-section (1) of section 21;
(f) the custody and restoration of lost property and the terms and conditions under which lost
property may be restored to the persons entitled thereto under section 34;
(g) the disposal of any lost property in cases where such property is not restored;
(h) securing the safety of aircraft, vehicles and persons using the airport or civil enclave and
preventing danger to the public arising from the use and operation of aircraft in the airport or civil
enclave;
(i) preventing obstruction within the airport or civil enclave for its normal functioning;
(j) prohibiting the parking or waiting of any vehicle of carriage within the airport or civil enclave
except at places specified by the Authority;
(k) prohibiting or restricting access to any part of the airport or civil enclave;
(l) preserving order within the airport or civil enclave and preventing damage to property therein;
(m) regulating or restricting advertising within the airport or civil enclave;
(n) requiring any person, if so directed by an officer appointed by the Authority in this behalf, to
leave the airport or civil enclave or any particular part of the airport or civil enclave; and
(o) generally for the efficient and proper management of the airport or civil enclave.
(3) Any regulation made under any of the clauses (h) to (o) (both inclusive) of sub-section (2) may
provide that a contravention thereof shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred
rupees and in the case of a continuing contravention with an additional fine which may extend to twenty
rupees for every day during which such contravention continues after conviction for the first such
contravention.
(4) No regulation made by the Authority under this section shall have effect until it has been approved
by the Central Government and published in the Official Gazette.
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the first regulations under this Act shall be
made by the Central Government and shall have effect on being published in the Official Gazette.
(6) The first regulations framed under sub-section (5) shall remain in force until such time the
Authority has made regulations and they are published in the Official Gazette.
43. Rules and regulations to be laid before Parliament.—Every rule and every regulation made
under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it
is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more
successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the
successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or regulation, as
the case may be, or both Houses agree that the rule or regulation, as the case may be, should not be made,
the rule or regulation shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case
may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of
anything previously done under that rule or regulation.
22
44. Power to remove difficulties.—(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of
this Act, the Central Government may, by general or special order published in the Official Gazette, make
such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as appear to it to be necessary or
expedient for the removal of the difficulty:
Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiration of one year from the commencement of
this Act.
(2) Every order made under sub-section (1) shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before
each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised
in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately
following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification
in the order or both Houses agree that the order should not be made, the order shall thereafter have effect
only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification
or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that order.
45. [Amendment of Act 22 of 1934.].—Rep. by Repealing and Amending Act, 2001 (30 of 2001), s.
2 and the First Schedule (w.e.f. 3-11-2001).
46. Repeal and saving.—(1) On and from the appointed date,—
(i) the International Airports Authority Act, 1971 (43 of 1971) and the National Airports
Authority Act, 1985 (64 of 1985) shall stand repealed;
(ii) the International Airports Authority and the National Airports Authority constituted under
the aforesaid Acts shall cease to exist.
(2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken or purported to have been done
or taken under the aforesaid Acts so repealed shall, in so far as it is not inconsistent with the provisions
of this Act, be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Act.