Cabinet approves proposal for leasing out Thiruvananthapuram airport

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the proposal for leasing out Thiruvananthapuram International Airport through public-private partnership (PPP). The aiport will function under PPP format for 50 years. 

Along with Thiruvananthapuram airport, PPP model was approved by Cabinet for Jaipur and Guwahati airports also.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said the cabinet has approved the proposal for leasing out Jaipur, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram airports through PPP model.

Adani Enterprises had won the rights to run six airports Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, and Guwahati through PPP model after a competitive bidding process in February 2019. These six airports are owned by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

Adani Enterprises had signed the concessionaire agreement with AAI for three airports - Ahmedabad, Mangaluru and Lucknow - on February 14, 2020.

Through PPP model, Centre aims to increase the revenue of AAI and to bring the airports to international standards. Meanwhile the Kerala government and Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd had approached High Court against leasing out the same to Adani Enterprises. However, the pleas were rejected by HC.

(With added inputs from PTI)