Airport union calls off strike

The Airport Authority Employees' Union (AAEU) called off its two-day "non-cooperation" movement after claiming that Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel has assured them that contracts like those with airport developers in Hyderabad and Bangalore would not be signed in the future and that jobs in these airports would be protected.

A meeting was held between the union leadership and Patel this evening in Delhi. With this, the 18,000 employees of the Airports Authority of India will be back to work.

The union was protesting against the government's decision to close the old Hyderabad and Bangalore airports after the new airports in these cities start commercial operations in a few days.

The closure of the old airports were part of contractual agreements signed with the public-private consortiums that are constructing and operating the two new airports.

Patel had told Parliament yesterday that the two older airports would not be closed and would be used for general aviation (including business jets), defence and emergency situations and that AAI employees would not lose their jobs.

The "non-cooperation" movement did not lead to any major disruption in flights across the country except in Kolkata. However, housekeeping in various airports was impacted and there were some reports of delays in baggage handling.

After today's meeting, he told reporters, "The demands of the unions have to be examined within a legal framework. However, the economic viability of the older airports will be intact."

Meanwhile, the civil aviation ministry has asked Bangalore International Airport Ltd to delay the opening of its new $625 million facility until after May 10 from the previously announced date of March 30, added Bloomberg.

"The minister has admitted that these agreements with the companies floated to build new airports during the previous government were not viable and in future such agreements will not be signed," said Tapan Sen, member, Centre for Indian Trade Unions.