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K.V. Kurmanath

Hyderabad, Oct. 17 Even as GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd is getting ready for the launch of the greenfield airport in March 2008, the Airports Authority Employees’ Union (AAEU) has toughened its stand on the shift of the commercial activity to the new airport.

“We are not opposing the greenfield airport. What we are saying is that the existing Begumpet airport should be continued,” Mr S.R. Santhanam, President of AAEU, told Business Line.

The airport recorded a turnover of Rs 192 crore, leading the chart in the South.

“How can you transfer a successful business without seeking compensation,” he asked.

Stating that the union was not opposed to the new airport, he said co-existence was possible in a competitive environment. “We are ready for competition,” he said.

Asked about the clause in the concession agreement (between GMR and the Union and State Governments) that called for closure of the existing airport for commercial operations, Mr Santhanam said the airport was created under the Unified Parliament Act of AAI.

“Nothing in the Act says it would be closed once a greenfield airport is commissioned. Which will prevail — the Act or the agreement?” he asked.

He also wondered why the developer was insisting on the closure of the Begumpet airport when many cities in the world were home to more than one airport.

Giving a list of such airports, he said London (City, Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton and Stansted airports) and Los Angeles (Burbank Bob Hope, John Wayne, Long Beach, International and Ontario International airports) had five airports each.

While Seattle had four airports (Seattle King Country, Seattle-Tacoma, Lake Union and Lake Washington — the last two being seaplane service airports), major cities such as Berlin, Chicago, Houston, Milan, Moscow, New York City, Osaka, and Paris had three airports.

More Stories on : Trade & Labour Unions | Airlines | Andhra Pradesh

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