Overview
- AAI has been directed to place the question of permitting cinema halls in secured or unsecured airport areas before the Ministry of Civil Aviation within four weeks.
- The court’s status-quo order allows the five-screen PVR INOX at Chennai’s Aerohub to continue operating in the unsecured zone until the policy decision.
- Justice M. Dhandapani found no express prohibition in the Airports Authority of India Act for multiplexes located outside the restricted ‘airport’ area.
- If the ministry permits such cinemas, AAI must negotiate a lease or sub-licence with PVR INOX following the termination of the developer’s agreement.
- If the ministry disallows them, PVR INOX may pursue remedies against its original lessor, after AAI earlier cited security concerns in a 2023 closure letter.