Shimoga Airport

Shimoga Airport is a India’s first private regional greenfield airport developed under Public-Private–Partnership, in association with the Government of Karnataka (GoK). The project is being developed by Regional Airport – Holdings International Limited, a pioneer in aviation infrastructure and services. The airport is scheduled to be fully operational by May 1, 2014 and will provide air taxi and non-scheduled air services.
The location of the airport is at Sogane village, 8.8 km (5.5 mi) from Shimoga and 8.2 km (5.1 mi) from Bhadravathi.

A team of experts from Airports Authority of India visited the two identified sites at Sogane near Shimoga and Nagarabavi village near Ayanur on 4 April 2006. Of the two sites inspected by the AAI team, the one at Sogane was found most suitable due to its wind direction and velocity conditions. The only concern was that the land was uneven and needed to be levelled. The other site near Ayanur was found inadequate in width for the runway of the proposed airport

Nineteen companies have shown interest in developing the airport, including Changi Airports International and Tata group consortium.

The project was initially awarded to a consortium of Maytas Infra Ltd (Now IL&FS Engineering and Construction Company Limited.
), NCC Infrastructure Holdings Ltd (NCC) and VIE India Project Development and Holding on 15 November 2007, on a BOT basis (Concession period is 30 years. The concession shall at the option of consortium be extended for a further period of 30 years, by Mutual Agreement).

A Special Purpose Company (SPC) by name Shimoga Airport Developers Pvt Ltd (SADPL), has been established to sign the Project Development Agreement (PDA) with IDD, Government of Karnataka. The Shareholding pattern of Maytas Infra, NCC and VIE will be 37%, 37% and 26% respectively in the SPC. The project development agreement was signed on 2 April 2008.
The foundation stone for the Phase I construction was laid by former Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri B. S. Yeddyurappa on 20 June 2008.

Due to a change in the project shareholding ratio, a Supplementary Development Agreement was signed on December 21, 2010. Bangalore-based company Regional Airport-Holdings International Limited (RAHI) acquired 22% in the project and overall management and financial control.

RAHI is a joint venture (JV) between IL&FS Transportation Networks Limited (ITNL) – a dominant player in transportation infrastructure development and finance; and Comet Infra-Developments Private Limited (CIDPL) – an infrastructure development group. It is a pioneer in the development of regional aviation that focuses on the development of regional airports, allied air services and geo-specific industry clusters. The company is currently developing another greenfield airport in Gulbarga, Karnataka. Both airports will start operations in the later half of 2012.