Centre plans management contract for AAI-run metro airports
Security personnel at airport (Photo: DC)
New Delhi: The civil aviation ministry is likely to suggest a “management contract” model for operation and management of the Chennai and Kolkata airports.These two airports are owned and have been developed by the state-run Airports Authority of India (AAI).The management contract model involves getting a private player on contract to operate and manage the airport in return for a sum of money that will be paid by the AAI as per the contract to the private player.
This will ensure that the AAI does not have to share the revenues of the airport with the private player in contrast to the Delhi and Mumbai airport operation and management models.The management contract will also ensure that the Chennai and Kolkata airports are not leased out to the private-led consortium. Sources in the civil aviation ministry said that the proposal was being discussed although no final decision has been taken. The proposed management contract model is being seen as still a part of the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
There had been criticism from AAI unions on any move to lease out the Chennai and Kolkata airports to private-led consortia since the AAI had spent a large sum of money to develop both Chennai and Kolkata airports.But by considering the proposal for a management contract, the government hopes to engage private players such as private companies operating foreign or Indian airports thereby ushering in the “best global management practices”.
In other developments, the government may also conduct a review of existing bilateral agreements such as the one India had earlier inked with Abu Dhabi (UAE) to examine to what extent Indian carriers had benefited from it.Meanwhile, in a move to boost regional connectivity, aviation regulator DGCA may allow single-engine aircraft to carry upto nine passengers, sources said.
The government could also soon initiate disciplinary action against the former director of Surat airport for a recent incident when a SpiceJet aircraft had struck a buffalo at Surat airport while being in the process of taking off.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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