AAI to execute Chennai, Kolkata airports' PPP process

The Airports Authority of India has set up a cell to execute PPP process to operate and maintain airports at Kolkata, Chennai and other aerodromes as the Union Civil Aviation Ministry fast-tracking privatisation of management of the two major metro airports. The Key Infrastructure Development (KID) cell, which was in existence during the privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports, would handle the public-private partnership (PPP) process for Kolkata and Chennai airports, which are currently owned and managed by AAI, sources said.

The sources adde that the government would also take care of privatising and running air and city sides of 'certain (other) identified airports', they said. KID was the nodal point in the AAI for private players who participated in the bidding process during the modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports in 2005. It was not only the data room providing details on traffic flows, projections and area of land available with the two airports, but also put out Requests for Proposal for their modernisation.

It was wound up after the process was over. The decision to set up the KID again with five senior AAI officials was taken soon after Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said global bids would be invited for professional management of new Chennai and Kolkata airports through PPP.