Airlines cry foul as AAI races to meet ground handling policy deadline

New Delhi: Even as private airlines are united in their opposition to the implementation of the new ground handling policy from January 1, 2010, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and other private airports are gearing up to meet the deadline.
The AAI has already awarded the ground handling contract to Novia International, a joint venture led by a Denmark-based company, to undertake ground handling at Kolkatta and Chennai airports. “For other airports, the authority is tendering the contract region-wise,” said a senior AAI official. The official admitted that the authority is in no hurry to do so, as traffic at these airports has taken a beating. Aso, with airlines reducing capacity, there will be a smaller ground handling pie to share with others. Similarly, private airport operators like those in Delhi and Mumbai have also selected ground handlers based on lowest bids and tough quality standards.
However, some sticky issues remain. Airlines contend that they should be allowed to undertake self-handling at these metropolitan airports as it works out to be more economical.
A senior executive of a leading low-cost carrier told The Indian Express that the turnaround cost of a single aircraft costs the company around Rs 4,000-Rs 5,000. “This cost will significantly go up if the company were to engage any of the mandatory ground handlers at the airport,” said the executive.
28/11/09 Smita Aggarwal/Indian Express

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Categories: Airports Nov 2009