Air-India in talks with GMR, GVK for exclusive terminals

National flag carrier Air-India is in talks with GVK and GMR groups, developers of Mumbai and Delhi airport, for setting up of an exclusive terminal for the carrier.

When contacted, Air-India Chairman and Managing Director Vasudevan Thualsidas confirmed that the airline has indicated the GVK-SA consortium and GMR Fraport consortium for having an exclusive terminal for Air-India.

"We are in dialogue with airport authorities for respective airports," Thualsidas said.

The GVK-SA consortium had bagged project for modernisation and restructuring of the Mumbai airport after it emerged as the highest financial bidder.

GMR was awarded a long-term agreement to operate, manage and develop the Delhi Airport following a competitive bidding process.

Meanwhile, Air-India is also planning to construct a hub control centre at the Mumbai airport to monitor the entire international operations.

"We have sent a delegation to Frankfurt to study the feasibility of having a hub control centre to supervise international operations from the centre," Thulsidas said.

According to aviation industry analysts, German airline major Lufthansa has a hub control system, which streamlines the international operations at one centre.

Sources added that Air-India will be investing in setting up IT systems to facilitate hub control Soperations.