Jet, Indian fight it out over cargo loading

Indian and Jet Airways, two main airline operators at Indore airport, have locked horns over loading of cargo.

While Jet claimed that Indian Airlines has been sending cargo in its passengers' flight without scanning by the X-ray machine, Indian hit back by refuting the allegation.

According to Indian, its officials are thoroughly carrying out the verification physically.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCF) had banned use of black and white X-ray machines for scanning cargo, and had asked the airlines to install colour X-ray machines at the airports.

However, Indian has not yet complied with the BCF's decision. Sources said Indian either board the cargo after a physical verification or use passengers' scanning machine at the airport. This is being opposed by Jet.

Is Indian not capable of installing a colour X-ray machine for safety of airport and passengers? Is boarding cargo without scanning a dangerous step? ask sources. Jet's is already using a machine costing Rs. 50-60 lakh for scanning the cargo. On the other hand, Indian alleges that Jet has developed monopoly over cargo business.

A cargo X-ray machine costing Rs 20 lakh, imported from a British company, is gathering dust at the airport since more than a year. The machine, bought by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), is reserved for the international cargo service project at the airport, which seems to be a distant dream.

Though AAI local authorities approached the head office to change the decision, no decision was forthcoming from Delhi in this regard.

Airports at Indore and Bhopal are the two main airports in the state. The state government has already announced plans to convert them to international airports, besides the plan for air-connectivity with all the districts.