Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh has said the government is expected to invest over $12.1 billion in improving airport infrastructure under the 12th Five-Year Plan.
Out the $12.1 billion investment lined up, $9.3 billion dollars is expected to come from the private sector.
While addressing a global convention on business excellence in Dubai on Wednesday, the minister said recent initiatives and measures taken by the government would give a boost to civil aviation sector in India.
Singh referred to recent studies by the IATA, which has predicted that India is poised to become the largest aviation market by 2020.
The minister said the government's decision to allow 49 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in the sector is a step in the right direction.
The results are already showing in the form of
Air-Asia's entry into the Indian market and Gulf-based
Etihad Airways buying a 24 per cent stake in Naresh Goyal's Jet Airways.
The civil aviation minister defended the government's move to allow Abu Dhabi's airlines increased access to the Indian market, saying the move was made keeping passenger convenience in mind, as more
foreign carriers would increase options for fliers and bring down airfares on overseas routes.
Singh in the recent past has said that competition is very good for any industry.
With inputs from ANI 
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