SEPANG (May 8): Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is still keen on investing in India's aviation industry as it disposes of its entire 11% stake in GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL), which manages the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad.

Its managing director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said the group has been exploring business opportunities in Asia, in particular India, where its government had announced plans to set up 50 new private airports to encourage regional connectivity.

"Currently, we are looking at about five airports (among the total number of airports to be privatised) in India," said Badlisham, adding that the business model has yet to be finalised with its business partners.

He also said the airport operator still expects to conclude talks to bring in a strategic partner for its Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SGIA) operations in Turkey this year.

Badlisham said MAHB has been actively scouting for suitable partners to buy a portion of its stake in SGIA since last year and  intends to remain a major shareholder in the company. 

"We would like to maintain the majority (shareholding in SGIA), but it depends on the negotiation," he said, adding that the group has invested money and time to build up the assets.

Apart from the 39 airports in Malaysia and SGIA, MAHB also manages the Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar.

Badlisham also said MAHB targets to attract 10 new airlines to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport this year, noting that it has already met half of the goals as at April this year.

MAHB shares closed unchanged at RM8.85 today, with 1.28 million shares traded, bringing a market capitalisation of RM14.68 billion.