India airports Public Private Partnership model is transformational but key lessons to be learned

India's decision to invite private capital to participate in the modernisation of its metro airports has delivered significant benefits for passengers, airlines and the government.

The two leading private promoters involved in the sector, GMR and GVK, have implemented dramatic improvements in airport infrastructure at Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad which have transformed the passenger experience, improved efficiency and capacity for airline operators, and delivered a massive dividend to the state-owned Airports Authority of India.

Once India's new government is fully installed and a - hopefully - new approach to the aviation sector is bedded down, the prospects for innovation and improvement will grow exponentially. PPPs are one important part of that equation.