Govt likely to remove restrictions on commercial use of AAI land

Of the 136 airports it operates, 107 were in losses due to the pandemic disruption

The government is considering a legal amendment to increase the scope for commercial exploitation of land by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). People in the know said the civil aviation ministry had started inter-ministerial consultations on amending the Airports Authority of India Act, 1994.

After this, the government will introduce a Bill.

While this will give the AAI more liberty to commercially exploit around 55,000 hectares, the move is also aimed at increasing the potential of privatising airports in Tier 3 and Tier 4 cities.

The Act allows the AAI to establish and maintain hotels, restaurants, and restrooms at or near airports,