No plans to privatise airports, says minister

New Delhi: The government has no plans to privatise any major airport in the country. However, it intends to handle the development, operations and maintenance part through partnership with the private sector, said a minister on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma informed parliament during the question hour that the government has no plans to privatise major airports, including those at Chennai, Kolkata and Ahmedabad.

"However, the government intends to undertake the operation, management and development of Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Jaipur airports through public-private partnership (PPP)," the minister informed the Rajya Sabha.

Last year, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued a request for qualification (RFQ) to invite interested entities to participate in the process.

According to the minister, all four airports earmarked for PPP mode of development have been able to increase their revenues during the last three years.

The data furnished by the minister showed that the Chennai airport's revenue grew from Rs.908.32 crore during 2013-14 to Rs.1,022.80 crore in 2014-15.

The Kolkata airport generated Rs.668.93 crore revenue during the last fiscal, raising it from Rs.630.62 crore in 2013-14. Ahmedabad airport increased its turnover from Rs.217.93 crore to Rs.229.72 crore.

The Jaipur airport generated Rs.92.56 crore in 2014-15 from Rs.87.20 crore during 2013-14.