The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has received a request seeking a waiver from provisions that bar cross-ownership of airports and airlines, the government told Parliament on Monday, confirming reports that the Adani Group has sought relaxations as it explores entering the airline business.“Request seeking waiver of the relevant agreement provision has been received by Airports Authority of India (AAI),” Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said in response to a question from CPM MP John Brittas in the Rajya Sabha.Though Adani Enterprises denied the media reports, a prominent business daily subsequently cited a letter from Adani Airports CEO Arun Bansal seeking relaxations from the government. Adani Airports Holding Limited has eight airports in its kitty.Mr. Brittas also asked whether the government had assessed the potential impact of such cross-ownership on competition, conflicts of interest, slot allocation, airport charges, ground handling and fair access to airport infrastructure for competing airlines.He also sought to know whether the views of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and AAI had been obtained on the matter.“The matter has not yet been examined by the Ministry of Civil Aviation,” Mr. Mohol replied.The concession agreements for Delhi and Mumbai airports cap aggregate airline ownership in the airport operator at 10%, while those for the Noida International Airport (Jewar) and Navi Mumbai airports are more relaxed and allow up to 26% ownership in an airline. These provisions can also be applied in reverse, effectively restricting airport operators from acquiring significant stakes in airlines. Published - August 10, 2026 09:26 pm IST