Ground handling: Pvt airlines get one more year

The private carriers would continue to provide ground handling services inside the airport terminal, along with airport operators, Air India (AI) and other selected specialised service providers, under the policy approved by the government today.

Maintaining a balance between security concerns and objections voiced by the airlines, the government allowed the airlines to continue ground handling services on the ramp side, or the operational side of an airport, for one more year till December 31, 2010, official sources said.

Earlier, the policy envisaged removing airlines from ground-handling work from January 1, 2010 and entrust it with airport operators, AI and specialised service providers.

However, under the policy approved by the Cabinet today, inside the terminal buildings, where there is a direct interface between the airlines and passengers, the private carriers would be allowed to carry on these activities, including check-ins and passenger and baggage handling, for one more year.

The policy, proposed by the Civil Aviation Ministry, was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security at a meeting here this evening.

Besides the private airlines, the policy allows only three agencies--the airport operator, AI or other service providers selected through competitive bidding--to carry out these activities. Ground handling activities range from passenger check-ins, baggage and cargo handling at the terminal side to cleaning and refuelling of air planes.