Domestic ground handling policy further deferred by six months

The domestic ground handling policy that was to be implemented initially from 01 January, 2009, and was already deferred till the 1st of July, 2009, has now been further postponed by another 6 months.

Some key executives from the industry hinted at the possibility that the ground handlers are not ready with the required infrastructure, and are of the opinion that they should be penalised for the delay.

However, many informed sources very clearly indicated that the domestic airlines are the ones vehemently opposing the new ground handling policy the most.

Explaining the primary reason for opposition by the airlines, A. K. Sachdev, COO, Go Air says, “If the policy is implemented, the cost of our ground handling operations per flight will increase by about five times, from Rs. 5000-6000 to Rs.25,000 – 30,000.”

However, G. V. Godbole, senior manager, ground handling, Air India is of the opinion that the cost seem to increase only for smaller airlines with few aircrafts. Bigger ones wouldn’t have this problem, he says.

Another senior executive from Air India with immense know-how of ground handling operations in India stated that since the policy is to be enforced only at metro airports, domestic airlines can continue their current state of operations at other airports.

Overall, it appears that amongst the airlines, Air India is the only one supporting this policy, while the other private domestic airlines still seem unhappy with it.