Date:04/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/09/04/stories/2007090450060700.htm

Back ‘GVK to participate in modernisation of more airports’

Keen to bid aggressively for Navi Mumbai

Our Bureau

New Delhi, Sept 3

The GVK group, currently undertaking the modernisation of the Mumbai airport, is keen to participate in development of other airports around the country, the Vice-Chairman, Mr G.V. Sanjay Reddy, has said.

“We are keen to take up other airport projects. We will bid aggressively for the Navi Mumbai as and when it comes up and also look at other airports,” Mr Reddy added. Asked whether the GVK would bid for other airport projects with South African airports, its partner in modernisation programme of the Mumbai airport, Mr Reddy said that this had not been firmed up.

The Government has already announced that it would soon be coming out with tenders for modernisation of 35 non-metro airports. In addition, it also proposes to establish greenfield airports around the country including one in Goa and another in Greater Noida on the outskirts of the Capital.

MIAL

Meanwhile, Mumbai International Airport Ltd, (MIAL) the new company floated to undertake the modernisation of the airport, is to shortly make another offer of employment to employees of Airport Authority of India (AAI) working at Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport in the city.

“The offer will be made shortly and we hope to complete the entire process before the end of the year,”said Mr Reddy, who is also the MIAL Managing Director.

Earlier this year, when the first offer of employment was made by MIAL close to 120 employees or 35 per cent of AAI employees had taken it up. There are more than 2,470 AAI employees working at the Mumbai airport and the new operator has to employ at least 60 per cent of these employees within three years of taking over operations.

MIAL took over the operations of CSIA last May. MIAL is a joint venture between the GVK group, the South Africa Airports and Airports Authority of India (AAI).