Adani Enterprises denies plans to enter airline business, calls reports 'baseless and factually incorrect'
New Delhi, July 24
Adani Enterprises has denied media reports that it is planning to launch an airline, as per a statement by the company.
In the release, Adani noted, it is not evaluating any proposal to enter the airline business, calling the reports "entirely baseless and factually incorrect."
"We would like to categorically deny the recent media reports and market speculation suggesting that Adani Enterprises is planning to launch an airline. These reports are entirely baseless and factually incorrect," it said.
It added, "Adani Enterprises is not evaluating any proposal to enter the airline business."
Earlier media reports had stated that major airport operators GMR Group and Adani Group were seeking approval to enter the airline business by pursuing changes to existing rules governing airport operators' ownership of scheduled airlines.
Media reports suggested that the move would require amendments to the existing regulatory framework, which currently bars operators of the New Delhi and Mumbai airports from holding more than a 10 per cent stake in a scheduled airline. The reports further said the government was examining the possibility of amending the provision, including seeking legal opinion, with any change requiring Cabinet approval.
However, neither the government nor the airport operators have officially announced any changes to the existing rules.
In a separate development, Adani Defence & Aerospace and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) signed an agreement to develop India's next-generation Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C-MKII) system for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to support PM Narendra Modi's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Under the agreement, the two organisations will jointly develop, manufacture and integrate airborne mission systems on six modified Airbus A321 aircraft for the IAF. The programme will also cover integrated logistics, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and technical support for up to 30 years. The AEW&C-MKII platforms are scheduled for induction into the IAF in 2032-33.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm not entirely convinced. These denials often come before something actually happens. Remember how they denied interest in newspapers before acquiring NDTV? The regulatory changes being "examined" by the government is also suspicious. Would prefer if they stayed in infrastructure and left aviation to existing players like IndiGo and Air India.
As someone who flies frequently between Delhi and Mumbai, I actually wouldn't mind Adani starting an airline. More competition means better prices and service. But the conflict of interest is real—if you own the airport AND the airline, you can squeeze out competitors. The regulator needs to be very careful here.
The AEW&C project is the real news here! Six modified Airbus A321s with indigenous systems—this is what Make in India should look like. DRDO partnering with private sector is long overdue. Adani Defence has the capability to deliver this, and by 2032-33, our IAF will have crucial airborne early warning capability. Jai Hind! 🙏
Yaar yeh sab drama hai. First rumours, then denial, then after some months they quietly start something. Look at their history—same pattern with data centres, media, now airports. I hope the government keeps the current 10% cap on airport operators owning airlines. No single group should control both runways and flights. Sab ka malik ek, toh competition khatam.
Interesting to see Adani focusing on defence instead of airlines. The AEW&C program is technically challenging but strategically vital. India currently operates a very limited number of these aircraft, and having an
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