Indian airports to attract $12.1 bn investment: Minister

The Indian airports sector is expected to attract investments worth $12.1 billion during the 12th Plan period, including $9.3 billion from the private sector, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ajit Singh said in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

India is the 9th largest civil aviation market in the world and is expected to reach third position with a fleet size of 1,000 by 2020.

"The government has envisaged an investment of $12.1 billion in airport sector during the 12th Plan period (2012-17), of which $9.3 billion is expected to come from the private sector for construction of new airports, expansion and modernisation of existing airports and development of low cost airports," Singh said during his inaugural address at India Aviation-2014.

Emphasising that Indian air traffic density is low as compared to other countries, Singh said as many 236 million domestic passengers will be handled by Indian airports and 85 million international passengers by 2020.

He said the commercial fleet size is expected to be 1,000, from today's 400, by 2020.

Ashok Lavasa, secretary civil aviation said the state governments have crucial role to play in enhancing the region connectivity of airlines.

He also suggested that the states need to look at the tax structure of ATF.

Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan was among those who spoke on at the inaugural.

Image: Mumbai airport's Terminal 2; Photograph, courtesy: MIAL