NEW DELHI: The government is likely to
defer the implementation of the new airport ground handling policy, slated for
enforcement from July 1 at six metro airports, by at least three months as
necessary arrangements are still not in place, a civil aviation ministry
official, who asked not to be named, said.
The official said the policy may be enforced in phases, starting with airports that complete the formalities. The Union cabinet will take a final call on the implementation of the policy this month. Ground handling involves passenger check-in, besides, baggage and cargo handling, cleaning and refuelling of aircraft. These services are currently handled by the airline operators themselves.
The new policy will do away with the prevailing practice and bind airlines to choose from three agencies ??? airport operator, Air India or an independent private ground handling firm chosen by the airport ??? for the services. The airport operators and state-owned Air India can provide the services on their own or through a joint venture with another ground handling agency.
???Most airport operators are yet to identify ground handling service providers. Even though they have assured us that they will be able to do so this month, it???s unlikely that the entire process of implementing the policy can be completed by June-end,??? the official said.
The agencies identified by the airport operators will also have to obtain security clearance from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, following which they can sign agreements with airlines for ground handling jobs at
different airports.
The official added that the process may take months and, therefore, the policy may be implemented at the six chosen airports, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad, in phases, depending on the preparedness of the airports.
The government framed the new policy to tighten up security at the airports. The policy, announced in early 2007
and slated for implementation from January 1, 2009, was delayed by six months following fierce opposition from airlines, who claimed the new policy will force them to retrench staff in thousands and jack up their operation costs. Most airlines are still opposed to the new policy and have been lobbying with the government against its implementation.
The official said the policy may be enforced in phases, starting with airports that complete the formalities. The Union cabinet will take a final call on the implementation of the policy this month. Ground handling involves passenger check-in, besides, baggage and cargo handling, cleaning and refuelling of aircraft. These services are currently handled by the airline operators themselves.
The new policy will do away with the prevailing practice and bind airlines to choose from three agencies ??? airport operator, Air India or an independent private ground handling firm chosen by the airport ??? for the services. The airport operators and state-owned Air India can provide the services on their own or through a joint venture with another ground handling agency.
???Most airport operators are yet to identify ground handling service providers. Even though they have assured us that they will be able to do so this month, it???s unlikely that the entire process of implementing the policy can be completed by June-end,??? the official said.
The agencies identified by the airport operators will also have to obtain security clearance from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, following which they can sign agreements with airlines for ground handling jobs at
different airports.
The official added that the process may take months and, therefore, the policy may be implemented at the six chosen airports, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad, in phases, depending on the preparedness of the airports.
The government framed the new policy to tighten up security at the airports. The policy, announced in early 2007
and slated for implementation from January 1, 2009, was delayed by six months following fierce opposition from airlines, who claimed the new policy will force them to retrench staff in thousands and jack up their operation costs. Most airlines are still opposed to the new policy and have been lobbying with the government against its implementation.
