The last date for private parties interested in participating in the operation, management and transfer of Chennai airport has been extended to November 4.
Earlier, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had set October 17 as the ‘application due date’ or by when private parties had to show an interest in the project. AAI had said it would announce the shortlist on October 25.
Confirming the deadline extension, sources in the Ministry of Civil Aviation said the date for those interested in participating in a similar exercise in Lucknow airport has also been extended to early November.
It was not immediately clear what prompted the move as at least nine parties — IL&FS Transportation Networks, Essar Projects India, Cochin International Ltd, Essel Infraprojects Ltd, GVK, Fraport, Saudi Arabia, GMR Airports Ltd, Sahara Group and Turkish firm Celebi Habacilik Holding A.S. — had shown interest in participating in the Chennai airport project.
Representatives from the nine companies had visited Chennai airport on October 9.
At the moment, it is not clear when the Government will be in a position to stick to its deadline of issuing a letter of award to the successful bidder for Chennai airport by January 17 or within 30 days of opening of bids which is on December 18.
The successful bidder will enter into a public-private partnership with the Airports Authority of India on an operate, manage and transfer basis to develop facilities at Chennai airport.