Expedite the process of handing over airports on PPP basis: PM Modi

New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi held a comprehensive meeting to review the strategies that could help in making India's Civil Aviation sector more efficient. It was decided that the Indian Air Space should be effectively used in such a manner that the flying time is reduced benefitting the travelling public and also helping the airlines to save costs in close co-operation with the Department of Military Affairs.

For generation of more revenue as well as to bring in more efficiency at the airports, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has been asked to expedite the process of handing over of 6 more airports on PPP basis, by commencing the tender process within three months.

The e-DGCA project was also reviewed. This project would bring in more transparency in the DGCA's office and help all stakeholders by reducing the processing time for various licenses/permissions. It was also decided that all reform initiatives taken by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the organizations under it should proceed in a time-bound manner

The meeting was attended by the Home Minister, the Finance Minister, MoS(Civil Aviation), MoS(Finance) and senior officials of the Government of India.

Meanwhile, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued detailed guidelines to its airports for managing post-lockdown operations that impose several restrictions on April 29. The guidelines include detailed order on the usage of the number of terminals as well as on retail outlets providing food and beverages. "Initially, it is presumed that airline operations will be limited to tier-I cities i.e. metros and some of the state capitals and major Tier-II cities," said the AAI guidelines.

"Limited food and beverages and retail outlets to be made available to the passengers till operations of airlines gradually increase. Initially, they should serve tea/coffee etc. with take away snacks in boxes," it said. The guidelines further added that alcoholic beverages will not be permitted at bars or restaurants in airports unless the city or state administration permits it.