An Air India aircraft on the tarmac at a busy Indian airport.
IndiGo’s Managing Director, Rahul Bhatia, has raised significant concerns regarding the potential for a “massive conflict of interest” should airport operators be permitted to own airlines. Bhatia highlighted that such a scenario lacks global precedent and could introduce substantial risks into the aviation sector.
The comments come in the wake of the Adani Group, which manages eight airports across India, proposing an expansion into the airline business. This move is contingent on the government relaxing existing regulations that currently restrict airport operators from owning airlines.
Reports indicate that the government is considering these proposed changes to the norms, though no official statements have been released on the matter. The aviation industry is closely watching this development, given the potential implications for market competition and regulatory frameworks.
About the Author
