Jaipur airport privatization: State hanger to remain under AAI control

Jaipur: The process of privatising Jaipur airport is apparently in final stages. Sources said that the Central Civil Aviation Ministry may soon issue the letter of award to Adani Group by the first week of July authorizing the company to manage Jaipur and five other airports in the country. Sources also added that the management of the state hanger at Jaipur airport will be under the control of the airport authority, while all the other passenger areas will be managed by Adani Group.

The last date for handing over the management of the airport to Adani Enterprises is July 31 as per the terms of the tender. Some services including parking and fool will likely get costlier after the management is handed over to Adani Enterprises.

Sources said that the Airport Authority of India has obtained the permission from the Rajasthan government in this regard.

The Congress-led state government had raised an objection over the proposal of handing over the management of Jaipur International Airport to Adani Group. The government wrote to the airport authorities asking how the airport can be handed over to a private group without the permission from the state Civil Aviation Directorate.

The land for Jaipur airport had been allotted by the state free of cost, so it should be taken into confidence before the management is handed over to Adani Group, as per the objection raised by the government.

In February, the Adani group placed a bid of Rs 175 per passenger for Jaipur and five other airports, becoming the highest bidder. No other company could go beyond the rate. The five airports will be under the Adani group for the next 50 years once the MoU is signed between the airport authority and the company.