The Hindu Business Line : Airports' modernisation: `Govt to identify jt venture partners in July/August'

The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mr Babulal Gaur (right), with the Secretary, Civil Aviation, Mr Ajay Prasad, at the `Madhya Pradesh: Aviation Conclave' in the Capital on Tuesday. - Kamal Narang

New Delhi , April 19

THE modernisation and restructuring project of Delhi and Mumbai airports is unlikely to begin before the end of the year with the Government hoping to identify the joint venture partners for the project by end-July or August this year.

Addressing a meeting on `Madhya Pradesh: Aviation conclave,' the Secretary, Civil Aviation, Mr Ajay Prasad, said that the Government not only hoped to identify the joint venture partners for the two metro airports by July or August this year but also planned to start the process for making five other airports including those at Thiruvananthapuram and Amritsar into world-class entities during the current year. The meeting was organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry.

"A report on making 10 airports into global airports will be ready by the end of this month, while reports for making another 10-15 airports to global standards will be ready in the next two months.

"The process of converting these airports into world-class entities will be taken up by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), which will also run them. However, the city-side development will be done by the private sector," Mr Prasad said.

The Secretary added that AAI might have to go in for market borrowing to fund the project. A study was being undertaken to determine the funds required for the programme, Mr Prasad said.

Aircraft acquisition: Stating that the Government was moving expeditiously to ensure that the two State-owned airlines acquired new aircraft, the Secretary said that the 43 Airbus aircraft fleet acquisition plan of Indian Airlines would be sent to the Union Cabinet shortly. Besides, the board of Air India is expected to meet shortly to take a final view on the airlines 50 aircraft fleet acquisition programme Mr Prasad, said.

He, however, refused to speculate on how much the deal would cost IA. "The IA proposal will be sent to the Cabinet soon. However, it will not be taken up at tomorrow's (Wednesday's) meeting," Mr Prasad said.

While the process of acquiring aircraft was being expedited, the two airlines were leasing aircraft to meet their needs. "IA is to get six more ATR aircraft in May this year, while AI has leased Boeing 777 aircraft that are being deployed on flights to UK among other routes," Mr Prasad said.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Anti-poaching move — Airlines agree on 4-month notice period for pilots

Airports' modernisation: `Govt to identify jt venture partners in July/August'

Kandla box terminal project set to take off

NMPT plans to deepen channel

GE Shipping signs deal to sell VLCC

Short on crew... pay up and sail