The reports of turning the Airport Authority of India (AAI) into a company have not been well-received by the employees, who threatened to go on a month-long strike on the issue of delay in salary payouts.

Union Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Praful Patel said that the government may amend lays for the AAI to turn into a company for raising funds, indispensable for the modernization of airports. Mr. Patel added: "We are looking at corporatizing the AAI, turning it into a company from an authority which it is now... our objective is to list AAI in the stock market."

The minister said that amending AAI act is the need of the hour for making the aviation sector financially strong and profitable. He hinted at making the proposed amendment latest by March 2010, for enabling AAI to raise funds in future. He said that private companies are contributing towards airport modernization, and they have good standing in the market.

Meanwhile, employees of AI opposed the move and asked for immediate release of their salaries. The general secretary Air India, Mr George Abraham said: "On 2 September we are meeting again to take stock of the situation and intensify at that time whatever we deem fit."