The Hindu Business Line : Airports union calls off protest

New Delhi, March 13 The employees union of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) called off its non-cooperation movement late on Thursday night after the Government assured the workers that it was willing to put its best foot forward to “re-examine ” the concession agreement signed for the opening of the new airport in Hyderabad.

The Government has also decided that the new airport in Bangalore will start operations after May 10.

The workers’ stir was called off following a meeting between the Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Praful Patel, Members of Parliament from the Left parties and the unions. However, the Minister did not comment on one of the contentious issues — closing of the Bangalore airport — as it is not with the AAI, said the Convenor of the AAI Employees Joint Forum, Mr M.K. Ghoshal.

The striking workers were assured that the tripartite committee formed to look into the grievances of the AAI would commence its meetings at the earliest and all matters would be discussed. The AAI employees had gone on protest on Wednesday to protest against the Government decision to close the existing airports in the two cities.

The non-cooperation protest had little impact on normal operations of domestic airlines, although passengers faced some difficulties at a few airports.

Limited impact

In Kolkata, the striking employees cut off power supply to sections of the airport, affecting the functioning of x-ray machines and baggage belts. Trolleys used by passengers to carry their luggage were also not easily available.

The decision to call off the strike was taken less than 24 hours before the Chairperson of the UPA, Ms Sonia Gandhi, inaugurates the new Hyderabad airport on Friday.

On the opening of the new Bangalore airport, sources told Business Line that the delay in handing over the technical block and the radar building, apart from non-completion of the air conditioning works, were among the many reasons for its postponement.

New Bangalore airport launch on May 11

Our Bangalore Bureau reports: In Bangalore, the airport operator, BIAL, stated that the airport would now take off on May 11 – a day after the time set by the Ministry.

“BIAL has decided the new date of airport opening as May 11, 2008,” a release here said.

However, it will go ahead with the launch ceremony on March 28, as planned, “to showcase the new airport and to mark the successful readiness of the airport infrastructure,” the spokesperson said in a release here on Thursday. Top brass from the promoter companies – Siemens and Unique Zurich - were expected as per the earlier plan, and the Prime Minister was to have declared it open on that day.