New Delhi, Mar 27: In a bid to enhance safety, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has asked all airports to take steps to implement new ground-handling policy from April 1 that bars airlines from outsourcing manpower for such jobs.
Airlines will now have to deploy full-time employees at airports for ground-handling jobs or hire the services of security-cleared ground handling agencies, an AAI statement said.
“This means airlines cannot deploy outsourced manpower for doing ground handling on their own,” it said.
Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court had rejected a plea by airlines to stay implementation of the policy.
However, airlines have approached the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the new ground-handling policy. The matter is expected to come before the apex Court on April four.
Civil Aviation Secretary had met AAI officials and private airport operators to review the preparedness for implementation of the new ground handling policy recently.
AAI is expected to generate additional revenue of at least Rs.350 crore every year as the authorised ground-handling agencies nominated by it would start work at important airports like Chennai and Kolkata from April 1.
The authorised ground handling agencies have been asked to hire only security-cleared employees, the AAI said adding that the move is also expected to result in enhanced safety for passengers and prevent pilferage of baggage and cargo.
The civil aviation ministry had proposed to introduce the new ground handling policy from 2007, but implementation has been delayed due to resistance from airlines and manpower supplying agencies.
Authorised ground-handling agencies have assured the government that modern equipment will be deployed and standards set by International Air Travel Association (IATA) would be met, the AAI said.
This means replacement of diesel-engine vehicles and outdated equipment like agriculture tractors which are still in use at several airports to ferry luggage or cargo to the aircraft.
While there are allegations that over 3,000 employees of manpower supplying companies would lose their jobs, the ground-handling agencies have already started the process of shortlisting these employees for recruitment, the AAI said.
“The eligible ones are to be recruited if they get clearance from the security agencies,” it said. PTI
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