Singapore Airlines expansion cloud after cargo mess

Calcutta: Singapore Airlines today said it might put on hold its plan to introduce an additional freighter to Calcutta after the trouble over cargo stuck during the airport employees’ strike and the subsequent demand for a fine.
The Airports Authority of India had shocked airlines yesterday by asking them to pay a late fee or demurrage for keeping goods in its warehouse during the March 12-13 ceasework. The airlines said the cargo could not be cleared because of the airport’s own staff and lodged a protest.
The fine was waived today following the intervention of airports authority chairman K. Ramalingam in Delhi but the airlines and agents suffered losses running into crores.
“We are reviewing the decision to add another freighter to Calcutta from April. Strikes will happen again and business will suffer,” said Amin Khan, the eastern India manager of Singapore Airlines Cargo.
The airline has three freighters and four passenger flights to the city.
15/03/08 The Telegraph

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Categories: Airports Mar 2008, Cargo Mar 2008, Foreign Mar 2008