Bhubaneswar: Biju Patnaik International Airportin the city is likely to be among 11 airports in the country which are privatised soon. Sources said the govt is likely to seal the privatisation deal in July or Aug.Officials said the initiative aligns with the Centre’s goal to privatise these AAI-managed airports by this year.The 11 airports together handle 10% of India’s domestic passenger traffic and 4% of total overseas passengers. Once privatised, the entity will take up more commercial ventures inside and outside the BPIA to boost its revenues. Out of the 11 airports, Bhubaneswar is one that is considered profit-making. According to the Union civil aviation ministry, one management (player) will operate Bhubaneswar and another airport in Hubballi (Karnataka), which has been clubbed with Odisha. Earlier, Trichy airport was clubbed with Bhubaneswar.Last year, Rajya Sabha member Niranjan Bishi raised the BPIA privatisation matter in the Upper House. “BPIA handles over 4.6 million passengers annually. It is a profit-making airport in India. And it is the eighth most profit-making airport out of a total of 102 airports in our country. So, proposed privatisation after 62 years of successful operation is a matter of great concern,” Bishi told the House in Aug last year.In a reply to Bishi on Aug 5 last year, minister of state Murlidhar Mohol told the Parliament that airports are leased out for their better management, utilising private sector efficiency and investment. States and passengers are the ultimate beneficiaries of enhanced airport infrastructure and facilities created by the private partner, who operates, manages, and develops the leased airport under PPP.Recently, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi said at least 15 of the 30 districts will get heliports, while a greenfield airport will come up in Paradip. He also discussed how to expedite work on the proposed Shree Jagannath Airport in Puri and upgrade of the existing airport in Rourkela.