Private twist to airport makeover

NEW DELHI: The government is planning private sector participation to upgrade 35 non-metro airports. The move would virtually open up business avenues for Indian companies interested in this field. Till recently, the government’s strategy was to allow the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to exclusively develop non-metro airports. Efforts are now on to let in private players here, highly-placed government sources said.

The policy shift means increased opportunities for foreign investors, too. Officials hope that this will translate into more foreign direct investment (FDI) for airport development.

The AAI, which was to mobilise funds for investing in these airports, would not tap the market now since sizeable investment would come in from private sector partners, the sources added. Interestingly, the change in policy perspective comes at a time when the government is facing Left flak over the private participation for Kolkata and Chennai airport revamp.