Privatization of airport will enhance tourism: TVM Chamber of Commerce President

Privatization of the Thiruvanathapuram airport is widely welcomed by the stakeholders. It is said that privatization will improve the infrastructure facilities and quality of service.

SN Raghuchandran Nair, President of Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of Airport Users Consultative Committee, said that the move will be beneficial to the tourism industry in long run.

“We consider it as a positive move for the airport, which has been losing its galore in recent years. Privatization will encourage competition and the airlines have to reduce ticket rates to attract more passengers. If the infrastructure and other conditions improve, more international airlines will come forward to operate from the airport. In the long run, it will beneficial to the tourism industry and the economic development of the region as a whole,” said Raghuchandran to Tourism News Live.

Airport Authority of India (AAI) has sought bids for the operation and management of existing airport assets as well as their up-gradation and development of additional air-side terminals, city-side and land-side infrastructure for 50 years for the 6 airports in the bid.

The Adani Group were the highest bidder for the Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Lucknow, Mangaluru and Jaipur airports. The bid for the Guwahati airport will be opened on Tuesday, as per an official from AAI.

The Adani Group won the bid by contesting with Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (KSIDC), National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), Fairfax India Holdings Corporation, Australia’s AMP Capital, PNC Infratech Ltd and GMR Group.

The five airports would be handed over to Adani group after completion of formalities, an AAI official said.

A total of 32 technical bids were received from 10 companies to operate six airports currently under AAI’s management.