The decision to privatise six airports will be taken up only after the Lok Sabha elections, according to the aviation ministry.

Union Civil Aviation Secretary Ashok Lavasa, while addressing an industry event said that the projects will be put on hold till the elections have been concluded.

Kolkata, Chennai, Lucknow, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Guwahati airports are all set to be privatised. The move saw opposition from many quarters. The Standing committee on Transport, Tourism and culture headed by CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury had opposed the move and instead recommended that state run Airports Authority of India should form a subsidiary or a SPV (special purpose vehicle) to grant management contracts. He added that private parties should be given these contracts based on their expertise in the field.

In September 2013, the Union government had given it approval to allow private parties to own up to 100% equity stake in the said airports through PPP (public private partnership) model, it was reported.