Thiruvananthapuram: International flights operated by seven airlines from the Thiruvananthapuram airport were delayed by over 15 minutes and movement of export cargo hit following a flash strike by the ground-handling staff of Air India SATS Airports Services Pvt Ltd (AISATS) from Monday midnight.
The contract employees launched the flash strike raising various demands, including an increase in wages. Airport sources said international flights of Emirates, Ethihad, Kuwait Airways, Oman, Tiger Airways, Silk Air and SriLankan airlines were delayed by over 15 minutes following the strike.
The authorities are making use of the services of other staff to take care of ground handling, loading and unloading of baggage and to prevent inordinate delay of flights.
The export of fresh fruits and vegetables to various destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Canada, Paris and London has been hit by the stir. The Agricultural Products and Processed Food Exporters Association (APPEXA) secretary Dil Koshy said 15 tonnes of export cargo could not be sent due to the strike.
15/05/13 The Hindu
