Strike has little impact over airport operations
Hyderabad, March 12, 2008By and large, the flight and airport services were unaffected across the country today despite an indefinite non-cooperation move called by the Airport Authority Employee's Union to protest the closure of Bangalore and Begumpet Airport. Operations in major airports remained normal with flights operating on schedule.
Meanwhile, the government has already deployed 479 Air Force personnel in 21 key airports. The protesters too did not inconvenience passengers. In Hyderabad, flight services were not disrupted but the striking employees were quick to point out that the key operations like ground maintenance, runway checking and fire fighting parameters have been compromised.
Speaking to media, the Joint Forum Co-convener, G Srinivas said that civil and electrical works need people in full strength to ensure timely action. Operation of crash fire tenders at the Begumpet Airport has been entrusted to personnel drawn from Hakimpet Air force Station. Situation at the new airport is not encouraging either. Srinivas said that the GMR got some people trained for a month in Malaysia for the CFTs. But skilled people are need for CFTs. The non executive cadre of the union pitched up a tent near the domestic terminal and took out a mock funeral procession carrying the effigy of Civil Aviation Minister Praful Kumar. Begumpet Airport Director RK Singla put up a brave face and said that normal services have not hindered. According to G Radhakrishna Rao, Assistant secretary of AAEA said that the two airports make a profit of Rs.558 crore a year. This apart, the income tax was paid to the government amounting to Rs.97 crore.
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