Only airports in Chennai and Goa, which are under the Airports Authority of India (AAI), made profits during 2013-14 while 92 operational 31 non-operational facilities were making losses.
This was disclosed by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Monday. However, Sharma did not provide financial details though he detailed the steps taken by the government to improve the operational efficiency of airports under AAI.
To enhance operational efficiency of airports, the AAI has implemented Airport Collaborative Decision Making system in Delhi and Mumbai to ensure optimum slot utilisation and slot monitoring.
AAI has also initiated a capacity development programme for operational staff from time to time in order to improve their professional efficiency. As per the answer, Andhra Pradesh has the highest number of seven airport/civil enclaves, which are non-operational. Four in West Bengal are also not operational.
According to an answer given by Sharma during the Monsoon session of Parliament last year, airports owned by AAI are likely to incur a loss of at least Rs 1,112.39 crore in 2014-15, a rise from Rs 1,087.48 crore incurred in 2013-14.
These figures could rise, as the allocated expenditure is not included in these calculations. It is to be seen whether the losses will surpass Rs 1,546.84 crore incurred in 2012-13.
The losses incurred by the airports run by AAI are increasing year after year with 2012-13 witnessing 73 per cent rise in losses compared with 2010-11.While the losses incurred were Rs 895.39 crore in 2010-11, it rose to Rs 1,101.84 crore in the next fiscal. There was a steep increase in losses 2012-13 to Rs 1,546.84 crore.