(a) whether the Airport Act, 1934 provides for 100 per cent control of infrastructure by the Government;
(b) whether leasing out of Airports by the Government to private parties is in violation of the Act;
(c) whether leasing of Airports will compromise the security aspect; and
(d) if so, the remedial measures proposed to be taken by the Government?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI SHRIPAD Y. NAIK)
(a) :- There is no such Act as the Airport Act 1934, but there is an Act viz. Aircraft Act 1934. This Act provides for the control of the manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, import and export of aircraft but the Act does not provide for 100 per cent control of infrastructure by the Government.
(b), (c) & (d) :- Government on 12.01.2000 has given `in principle` approval to take up the task of restructuring of Airports of the Airports Authority of India as and when found suitable through long term leasing route. In this connection, Ministry has introduced the Airports Authority of India (Amendment) Bill 2000 in Lok Sabha to enable leasing of airports, which is currently pending before the Department Related Standing Committee of Transport and Tourism. Final decision on leasing of airports will be undertaken through a transparent global bidding process subject to approval of requisite legislation by parliament. Security of the airports will not be compromised at any cost.