New Delhi, April 8 -- In a move aimed at curbing the sharp rise in domestic airfares amid the West Asia crisis, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to reduce landing and parking charges at non-major airports.

According to an official communication issued by the Ministry, AAI will reduce Landing and Parking Charges -- part of the aeronautical tariff -- at all its non-major airports by 25 per cent of the approved rate.

The order states that the reduction will come into immediate effect for all domestic flights and will remain applicable for a period of three months. The decision will be reviewed before the completion of the three-month period.

The directive comes in view of rising operational...