(a) whether the Government proposes to recruit professionals from outside the company for senior positions in Air India;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the number of such appointments made so far;
(c) the reasons for recruitment professionals from outside the company;
(d) the steps taken by the Government for modernisation of existing major and minor airports in the country; and
(e) the current status of the proposal for the establishment of an international airport at Kannur in Kerala ?
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Dr Mahesh Sharma)
(a) No, Madam.
(b) & (c) Does not arise in view of (a) above.
(d) Up gradation and modernization is an ongoing process depending upon the traffic potential, demands from airline operators, commercial viability etc. Hence in case of existing airports, Ministry of Civil Aviation & respective airports operators takes initiatives to upgrade the airports, at regular intervals. However, in case of new airports, Government of India (GoI) has formulated a Greenfield Airport Policy, 2008 in which either the state Government or Airports Authority of India (AAI) or any promoter can approach this Ministry for development of an airport.
(e) Government of India, in 2008 has granted "In-Principle" approval to M/s Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation, a nodal agency of Govt of Kerala for construction of an airport at Kannur. The Airside works and City Side works including passenger terminal building has already been completed to the extent of 65% and 55% respectively.