Bombay Flying club moves court against AAI order

Mumbai: The 70-year-old Bombay Flying Club is having its wings clipped by the Airports Authority of India and it is seeking judicial intervention to ensure there is no cessation of members flying their Cessnas. The Flying Club at Juhu airport, which pays a yearly rent of Re 1, filed a petition before the Bombay high court on Monday. It has challenged letters issued to it by AAI on March 28 and March 30 stopping entry of club members, directors and students onto the flying club’s premises and the also the operations of the club.

The AAI issued the letters on the grounds that the club has outstanding dues of. But the Club’s law firm Naik, Naik and Co has called the AAI action arbitrary and mala fide.” Set up in 1931 it is the only flying club in Mumbai and the first flying club in India. It also runs an institute of civil aviation that offers a degree in B.Sc. (Aviation) and has over 400 students at present who have an examination scheduled for April 10, 2012.
The AAI action is “sudden”and without following the due process of law, the Club, which says it is not-for-profit, said and its petition will be heard later this week. It has sought urgent intervention as otherwise it would affect students too said the club.
03/04/12 Swati Deshpande/Times of India