Government keen on protecting AAI interests in privatisation push

New Delhi: The civil aviation ministry is toeing a thin line to make the six airports, up for privatisation, attractive for private investment even as it tries protect the interest of state-run airport operator Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The government plans to hand over operations and management of the six airports — Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Jaipur and Lucknow — to private parties. However, attempts to ensure that AAI does not lose out on revenue could end up squeezing the potential margins for private airport operators who will ultimately manage these airports.
"We will ensure that AAI does not lose out on revenue," said a senior civil aviation ministry official, preferring anonymity. "The private entity which ultimately takes charge of these airports will have to share both aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenues from these airports with the AAI.
Read News In full 04/12/13 Economic Times