Cabinet okays leasing out 3 airports to Adani

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 3

The government today approved the proposal of the Ministry of Civil Aviation to lease out three airport projects, currently operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), to Adani Enterprise.

Informing about the decision of the Union Cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said it was going to be a win-win for all, as the AAI would be getting money upfront. He said the airports, which would be leased out on public-private partnership model include that of Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Mangaluru.

Earlier this year, the Adani group had won bids to operate the three airports for 50 years. The Adani group had also won the bids to operate the Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram airports, owned by the AAI. The AAI had chosen the winner on the basis of the “per-passenger fee” offered by the bidders.

Sources said the other three airports would also be cleared by the Cabinet soon, as there was an issue with Trivandrum airport. The state government has raised concerns over it being awarded to Adani.

Winner on basis of ‘per-passenger fee’

• Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said the Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Mangaluru airports would be leased out on public-private partnership model
• The AAI had chosen the winner on the basis of the ‘per-passenger fee’ offered by the bidders
• The Adani group has also won the bids to operate the Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram airports.