New airport ground-handling policy from July

The controversial ground-handling policy that created quite a furore in December 2008 will come into force from July 2009.  However, the Civil Aviation Joint Action Forum said that they would oppose it tooth and nail because the policy is “not only against the country but also national security”.

An amendment was made to the DGCA CAR (Civil Aviation Requirement) regarding the ground-handling policy on December 31, 2008. “The airline operators or ground-handling service providers not covered by this policy shall not be allowed to undertake self-handling or third party handling with effect from July 1, 2009, or till further notice, whichever is earlier,” it said.

As such from July 1, only three ground handling agencies will be allowed inside the Mumbai airport. These are CELEBI, a Turkish ground handling company, along with NAS, a Kuwait based company.  Second is MENZIES, a European firm, in joint venture with CAMBATA Aviation. And third, a joint venture company between NACIL and SATS (Singapore Airport Terminal Services Ltd). 

As per the new policy nearly 17,000 people working for 48 ground handling agencies at Mumbai airport will lose their jobs. “We don’t want this policy to come into existence. We  want the government to discuss the issue with us and explain how this policy will benefit the country and our security,” said George Abraham, general secretary, Aviation Employee Guild.  “Will we be allowed to do ground handling in Singapore or Dubai? Then how come we are giving them the contract. It is a security hazard,” he said.