The next lot of airports will be privatised in tier 2 and 3 towns and cities
The government on Thursday announced that a maximum of 10 airports will be privatised in the third round of airport privatisation. "In the third round (of airport privatisation) six to 10 airports are going to be privatised," Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola said.
"The Airports Authority of India is examining the possibility of selling loss-making airports along with a profitable one. AAI is examining the possibility of giving non-profitable airport and profit-making airports as a package. The airports will be given to the private sector," Mr Kharola said.
Earlier, the government had approved to privatise 12 airports in the second round.
The government also indicated that "there are around 20 to 25 airports in the country that can be privatised in the coming days."
During the presentation of Budget 2021-22, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said that the next lot of airports will be privatised in tier 2 and 3 towns and cities, adding that the airports will be monetised for operations and management concessions.
"Seven port projects worth more than Rs 2,000 crore will be offered by major ports in a public-private partnership model, in financial year 2021-2022, to move to a model where private partners will manage operations of ports," she had said.