Private airport operators seek government aid as COVID second wave shatters aviation industry

NEW DELHI: Private airport operators are seeking immediate financial assistance from the government in order to sustain operations and prevent job losses in the sector. Airports are currently not generating sufficient cash flows to sustain operations and meet their debt obligations.

Poor cash flows and, consequently, downgraded credit ratings have made it impossible for airports to take further financing support from financial institutions, said Association of Private Airport Operators (APAO) whose members include operators of Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Hyderabad and Bangalore airport.