6 airports including Guwahati to be privatised

November 27: In a major push for privatisation of airports, Modi government is targeting to complete the privatisation of six airports by February 28 by awarding a 50-year lease.  The six airports earmarked for privatisation are-Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru and Guwahati.

A committee headed by Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant has decided that the net worth and turnover of the bidders will be the key factor in the final selection. The bidders can vie for all six airports and foreign players can also be chosen as sole developers. Unlike Delhi and Mumbai, where Airports Authority of India was a joint venture partner for GMR and GVK, this time the panel has decided to allow 100% private participation for operation, development and management. A foreign investor can also be the sole developer.

To make it attractive for prospective bidders, entire non-air side development for commercial purposes, such as building hotels or malls, will be allowed, said sources. This is seen to be crucial in making the project viable. Foreign players like the Changi Airports International (CAI) of Singapore are looking at this move with much interest.