Self-handling at airports to pose security risks, says GHAI

Allowing local carriers and charter operators to handle activities at airports on their own will pose safety and security issues unless stringent norms are in place, according to the ground handlers' association.
Ground handling, a key aspect of the aviation sector, generally refers to services provided to an aircraft while it is parked at an airport.
Under the draft civil aviation policy, which has been prepared after long-drawn consultations, the government has proposed a new framework to replace the Ground Handling Policy of 2010.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has mooted the idea of self- handling by local carriers and charter operators, besides suggesting that there is need to be at least three ground handling agencies at an airport.

The Ground Handlers Association of India (GHAI) have conveyed their concerns to the Ministry and senior officials with regard to the proposals in the policy.
GHAI Secretary General Arvind Kumar said self-handling should not be allowed as that could result in serious safety and security issues.

"In case the ministry decides to allow self-handling, then the same should be implemented only after putting in place stringent measures to ensure appropriate safety and security," he told PTI.
GHAI, a grouping of eight ground-handling agencies, claim that its members account for about Rs 750 crore of the estimated Rs 3,000-crore domestic ground-handling market.

In their submissions to the ministry, the grouping has also mentioned practices followed in various other countries, including Gulf nations, where restrictions are in place when it comes to ground-handling operations at airports.
Among others, GHAI has suggested that the government should look at having only permanent staff for ground-handling works and disallow third parties from such activities.
"Domestic airlines and charter operators will be free to carry out self-handling themselves or through their own subsidiaries or to outsource the same to other airlines or to a GHA," as per the draft aviation policy.
Besides, the airport operator would have to ensure there are a minimum of three ground handling agencies, including Air India's subsidiary/joint venture at an airport, to ensure fair competition. There will be no upper limit on the number of GHAs at an airport.

According to GHAI, such measures could result in needless congestion and compromise safety and security.