Question : INVESTMENT IN AIRPORTS

(a) the policy in regard to investment in the airports of the country along with its main features;

(b) the amount of funds required during the 12th plan for this purpose;

(c) the manner in which the Government proposes to mobilize the funds;

(d) whether some of the airports in the country especially in Karnataka are consistently incurring losses;

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

(f) the details of remedial measures taken by the Government to make these airports viable and profitable?

MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI AJIT SINGH )

(a): Investment on the airports infrastructure depends upon several factors like the growth of traffic, financial viability, social-economic consideration, air connectivity to region, air safety etc.

(b) & (c): Airports Authority of India (AAI) has earmarked an amount of Rs. 17500 crores for investment in Airports Infrastructure in 12th five year plan by the way of Internal Resources (Rs. 4172 crores), NEC Grant (Rs. 555 crores), Budgetary Support (Rs. 331 crores), Grants from Govt. of India (4742 crores) and Borrowings (Rs. 7700 crores).

(d) & (e): Yes, Madam. Some of the airports in Karnataka as Hubli, Mysore, Bangalore (HAL), Mangalore and Belgaum are loss making airports with a loss of Rs. (in crores) 3.22, 11.81, 15.31, 25.19 and 9.05 respectively in 2010-11. The details of loss making airports are at Annexure.

(f): Loss in airport operations is mostly on account of low traffic. Regular efforts are made to increase the traffic growth and exploit non aeronautical income opportunities.