Question : Privatisation of Thiruvananthapuram Airport

(a): whether the Union Government has approved the proposal for implementation of Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for operation, management and development of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport;

(b): if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c): whether the Government of Kerala has requested the Government to reconsider the decision and allow forming an SPV to take over and run this airport; and

(d): if so, the details thereof and the decision taken by the Union Government thereon?

The Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a) & (b): Government of India has 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 under Public Private Partnership (PPP) through Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC). An Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) has been constituted under the chairmanship of CEO, NITI Aayog to decide on any issue falling beyond the scope of PPPAC.

(c) & (d): Yes Madam. In response to the same, Government have offered State Government of Kerala to be one of the bidders.