Appearing for MIAL, senior counsel Harish Salve argued: 'When we can charge the airline companies for using landing, housing and parking facilities, then why can't we charge the passengers for using the other services at the airport?'

The public interest petition has challenged the ADF of Rs.200 cess on all outgoing domestic passengers and Rs.1,300 on international ones since March 1, 2009.

Apart from alleging that the money being charged for airport development work was 'placing undue burden on travelling public', the petition also argues that in return for the payment the passenger is not being offered any extra facility or value by DIAL.

In March, the government asked all airlines flying out of Delhi to collect a development fee from the passengers while issuing air tickets and not when they are checking in at the airport.