OVER the past decade, India's Adani Airports has emerged as a significant player in the country's sporadic privatisation efforts of major airports, reports Sydney's Centre for Aviation.
While Australia boasts 630 airports for a population of 26.6 million, with many being grass strips, India only has 487 airports for its 1.4 billion population, with just 149 being commercial airports, most of which are operated by the Airports Authority of India.
Although more airports are being constructed, the privatisation scheme initiated in 2006, briefly revitalised in 2015, and reintroduced in 2019, has been stagnant and will likely remain inactive until after upcoming elections.
For now, Adani Airports has announced its focus on enhancing its current portfolio, particularly emphasising landside developments, with substantial investments.
The company anticipates stiffer competition once the concession process resumes.
The state of the art Navi Mumbai Airport, which is 60 per cent completed and set to open by the end of March 2025, is a testament to India's aviation sector's rapid recovery from the Covid scare.
In 2023, the industry experienced a 26 per cent overall growth in passenger numbers, a trend expected to continue this year.
Mumbai's airport witnessed even higher numbers, with a 37 per cent increase reported for the first 11 months of the year.
This growth justifies the construction of the Navi Mumbai Airport, although it has faced delays.
Despite potential challenges, such as bird presence due to its location, the Navi Mumbai Airport promises to be a modern, well-planned facility with a focus on environmental sustainability.
The Adani Group, one of India's largest firms in this sector, has been tasked with its development under a concession agreement.
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While Australia boasts 630 airports for a population of 26.6 million, with many being grass strips, India only has 487 airports for its 1.4 billion population, with just 149 being commercial airports, most of which are operated by the Airports Authority of India.
Although more airports are being constructed, the privatisation scheme initiated in 2006, briefly revitalised in 2015, and reintroduced in 2019, has been stagnant and will likely remain inactive until after upcoming elections.
For now, Adani Airports has announced its focus on enhancing its current portfolio, particularly emphasising landside developments, with substantial investments.
The company anticipates stiffer competition once the concession process resumes.
The state of the art Navi Mumbai Airport, which is 60 per cent completed and set to open by the end of March 2025, is a testament to India's aviation sector's rapid recovery from the Covid scare.
In 2023, the industry experienced a 26 per cent overall growth in passenger numbers, a trend expected to continue this year.
Mumbai's airport witnessed even higher numbers, with a 37 per cent increase reported for the first 11 months of the year.
This growth justifies the construction of the Navi Mumbai Airport, although it has faced delays.
Despite potential challenges, such as bird presence due to its location, the Navi Mumbai Airport promises to be a modern, well-planned facility with a focus on environmental sustainability.
The Adani Group, one of India's largest firms in this sector, has been tasked with its development under a concession agreement.
SeaNews Turkey
