Govt considering privatisation of four airports: Raju

Says there is immense scope of development in the sector. Govt is committed to provide world class facilities to passengers

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju today said that the ministry was considering privatisation of four airports in the country, including the Ahmedabad Airport.

"We are thinking of privatising four airports in India. Ahmedabad airport is among these four. There is immense scope of development in this sector. We are committed to provide world class facilities to passengers," he told reporters here.

He was here to hold a review meeting with Gujarat Civil Aviation Minister Saurabh Patel to discuss the issues and problems related to civil aviation sector in the state. The other airports being considered for privatisation are Chennai, Kolkata and Jaipur.

Appreciating the cleanliness at the Ahmedabad airport, he said, "This (airport) is a nice place. Gujaratis are very clean people, that is why the airport is looking clean." After the meeting, Patel said that the Centre has accepted Gujarat's proposal to start direct flight between Rajkot and Delhi.

"The Central government has given a positive response and accepted our proposal to start direct flights between Rajkot and Delhi, which will commence from February 15. Now, people of Saurashtra region don't have to come to Ahmedabad to catch Delhi-bound flights," said Patel.

During the meeting with Raju, he made a representation regarding the state's Deesa and Keshod airports which are currently under the control of Airport Authority of India.

"Deesa and Keshod airports are currently operated by AAI. We have put forward our demand to handover these two airports to us, so that we can set up Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hubs for aircraft. This will boost aviation sector in Gujarat," he said.