No rule stops airport companies from having airlines: Govt

NEW DELHI: Govt is weighing the pros and cons of allowing airport operators such as Adani Group, which operates Mumbai Airport, to run an airline, although no decision has been taken yet. The Delhi and Mumbai airports went the PPP way in 2006 and their “operation, management and development agreement” (OMDA) does not allow the operators to have beyond 10% stake in an airline. Recently, the Adani Group had sought an amendment to the same.“Govt is clear that India needs more airlines, given the number of airports going to come up in India and the demand. Our ambition is to have at least five airlines with at least 100 aircraft each. So, if someone wants to start an airline, govt supports the idea. The issue is an airport (Mumbai and Delhi) doing so.