DIAL invites bids to develop general aviation facilities

New Delhi: In the footsteps of foreign direct investment (FDI) being permitted in the airport infrastucture sector, GMR-led Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has asked for expressions of interest (EoI) from global firms to fund, construct and operate facilities for general aviation and non-scheduled operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.

According to a DIAL advertisement the expressions of interest can be filed till 30 May, and have been issued to Fixed Based Operators (FBOs) for restructuring and establishing the first dedicated general aviation facility in India. The selected FBOs would finance, design, develop, construct, operate, manage and maintain these dedicated general and business aviation facilities at the airport, which would include terminal-side facilities, air-side facilities and maintenance services.

Terminal side facilities from FBOs will include handling and catering services for the general aviation operations, and the management of special lounges and conference facilities. Air side facilites will see the FBOs look after aircraft fuelling, de-fuelling and oil dispensing, parking, tie-down and hangar storage, power plant and accessory service, avionics and instrument service.

Additionally, the FBOs could also be asked to plan, build and manage exclusive services for general aviation passengers who use private and charter aircraft at the IGI Airport.

The Indian aviation sector has witnessed rapid growth in recent years. In 2007-08, general aviation traffic grew at more than 22 per cent, logging almost 10,000 aircraft movements. Presently, there are more than 200 general aviation aircraft, which is estimated to go up to 500 in coming years, given the number of pending orders.