The civil aviation ministry is likely to privatise the next set of airports on the basis of pre-determined tariffs. Opting for this route would mean that the airport regulator, Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA), would not have the power to set or revise user charges for passengers as well as airlines in such cases. However, the government would consult or seek recommendations of AERA in setting such pre-determined tariffs. Thus, AERA’s role would become advisory in the case of these airports, whereas earlier it had final power in setting the tariffs.
The government is likely to invite bids for privatisation of Varanasi, Calicut, Patna, Amritsar, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Coimbatore, Trichy, Indore, and Raipur airports in the next round.
