Malaysian co bids for Delhi airport pie

A Malaysian company and its Indian joint-venture partner are jointly bidding to redevelop and operate New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, a media report said.

The government-controlled Malaysian company, Malaysia Airports Holding Ltd, which has joined hands with its Indian partner DLS Group, submitted its tender in August, said the Malaysian daily 'The Star' quoting chief executive Bashir Ahmad.

Bashir said MAHL planned to take ten per cent stake in the New Delhi airport, which has been earmarked for privatisation by the Indian government.

At least 10 international companies are believed to have submitted bids to win the New Delhi contract.

MAHL has a 11 per cent stake in the Hyderabad International Airport, which owns and will operate the new airport due for completion in 2007.

"Overseas ventures will be a new source of income for the group in the longer term," said Bashir at an international airport managers' conference in Lisbon, Portugal, last week.