More airports to be privatised

Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is working towards reinstating of the tourist visa with other ministries, as well as privatising about 10 more airports starting financial year 2021-22.

Nisha Verma

Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary, MoCA, has shared that the government is planning to privatise another six to 10 airports starting April, and will be clubbing profitable and non-profitable airports during the sale process. “AAI is examining giving non-profitable airports and profit-making airports as a package. We can see six to 10 airports being taken up. The airports will be given to the private sector for 50 years,” he said. On being asked about working towards restarting the tourist visa, Kharola said, “MoCA is in talks with various others ministries for restarting the tourist visa.”

Air India update

Speaking on the divestment of Air India, the MoCA Secretarysaid that the transaction advisors are in the process of scrutinising the expressions of interest. “The transaction adviser has received the expression of interest from bidders. The advisor will now seek financial bids from qualified bidders,” he informed.

Fare bands to discontinue soon

Amongst the many decisions that the government had taken when restarting domestic operations in May was the introduction of fare bands, which, in November, was extended till February 24. However, Kharola added that it won’t be permanent and the government would do away with fare bands once normal operations resume. “Fare bands are not going to be permanent. As soon as normal operations start, fare bands will go away,” he said.