Question : Privatization of Airports

(a): whether the Government has taken any decision on privatization of six Airports in the country including Thiruvananthapuram and if so, the details thereof;

(b): whether the Government of Kerala has submitted any proposal for stopping privatization of this Airport and if so, the details thereof;

(c): the companies who were given the authority to operate the various airports and whether these companies have any experience in airport management or aviation field;

(d): if so, the details thereof and the criteria adopted by the Government to select these companies;

(e): whether the Government has taken into account the serious concern of security threat and safety loopholes in airports while handing over them to such companies and if so, the details thereof and the action taken in this direction; and

(f): whether the Union Government is ready to take up the concerns and complaints of the Government of Kerala and its people regarding the privatization of the said Airport and if so, the corrective measures to be taken in this regard?

The Minister of State (IC) in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Hardeep Singh Puri)

(a) Yes Sir. Union Cabinet in its meeting held on 08.11.2018 accorded ''In-principle'' approval for leasing out six airports of Airports Authority of India (AAI) viz. Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru for operation, management and development through Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. The bids have been received.

(b). Government of Kerala had requested the Government of India to allow them forming a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to take over and run the airport.;

(c): Airports have not yet been awarded to any company.

(d): The criteria adopted by AAI for selection of the successful bidder is based on the highest financial quote i.e. per passenger fee.;

(e): Yes Sir. The reserved matters like Security, Customs, Immigration, Plant and Animal Quarantine and Meteorological services will continue to be performed by respective Governmental agencies. The Communication Navigation Surveillance (CNS) and Air Traffic Management (ATM), will continue to be performed by the Airports Authority of India.

(f): Yes Sir. Government is committed for safeguarding the interest of all the stake holders including Sate Government and the general public.