Date:20/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/08/20/stories/2008082051692100.htm

Back Operations may come to standstill at Kolkata ariport

Our Bureau

Kolkata, Aug. 19 Flight operations at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport may come to a standstill on Wednesday with the Airport Authority Employee’s Union (AAEU) deciding to join the strike called by CPM’s labour union arm Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU). “Hardly any flight will take off or land at the Kolkata airport after the bandh comes into effect,” said Mr Dipankar Ghosh, Secretary, AAEU. Nearly 7,000 employees including AAEU’s 1,900 non-executive staff, contractual workers and employees of private airlines will stay out of work on the day. The fire staff would, however, be kept on alert for an emergency landing, he said. The Air Traffic Control will also be kept outside the purview of the bandh so that over-flying aircrafts can pass, he added.

Mr P.K. Singhal, Regional Executive Director, Airport Authority of India said, “All ATC activities will be maintained though there is apprehension about normal ground handling operations.”