Starting April,new ground handling policy

As per the new policy,which was to earlier kick in from January 1,2011,only three ground handlers will be allowed to perform this function at the six metro airports across the country. These would be a private firm selected through bidding,subsidiaries of Air India and the airport operator.

Air India has already tied up with Singaporean firm SATS,forming AISATS,and it provides ground handling services at Hyderabad and Bangalore airports.

The Airports Authority of India,that runs Chennai and Kolkata airports among the six metro airports,is looking at additional revenue of at least Rs 350 crore per annum from ground handling services.

Airlines have been opposing this on two grounds. First,their cost of operations will increase substantially in case they outsource these services. Second,around 30,000 ground handling staff will lose their jobs,and the investment by airlines in ground handling equipment will go waste.

Airport developers counter this argument by saying that competitive rates will be offered,that new ground handlers will try to absorb the current workforce and that they may purchase the equipment too.

On March 11,the Civil Aviation Secretary had met Airports Authority of India officials and private airport operators like GMR and GVK to review preparedness. Authorised ground handling agencies have been asked to hire only security-cleared employees.

New ground handlers,meanwhile,assure that they would deploy modern equipment and meet standards set by the International Air Travel Association (IATA). This would mean diesel-engine vehicles and agriculture tractors which are still in use at several airports will be replaced.