Private airlines contest govt's rule to cede ground handling

New Delhi: An association of budget airlines on Monday moved the Supreme Court challenging the Centre's decision forcing private airlines to cede ground and passenger handling to government-approved agencies for security reasons.
Arguing for the petitioner association, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi sought a stay on the decision saying security was a bogey raised to pinch revenue from budget domestic airlines and dilute their efficient service to the level of erstwhile Indian Airlines.
If security was an issue, why did the government allow these airlines to continue with ground handling services at sensitive airports in J&K, northeast and other airports, he asked. The services had been taken away only in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad, he added.
The bench issued notice to the Centre and refused to stay the government's decision. But solicitor general Gopal Subramaniam faced a difficult time as the court went hammer and tongs at the policy giving ground handling services of private airlines to a government-approved body.
05/04/11 Times of India

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Categories: Airports Apr 2011, Indian Aviation- In General Apr 2011