AAI stirke enters day two, flights unaffected

The nationwide strike by Airports Authority of India (AAI) employees against privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports entered its second day today but passenger flight operations remained unaffected.

Cargo delivery operations were disrupted in Chennai while passengers had to face some difficulty with basic amenities like baggage clearance and public conveniences at the airports affected due to absence of staff.

In Delhi, scores of striking airport employees blocked the main approach road to the domestic terminal and vowed to continue their road blockade indefinitely until the government withdrew its airport privatisation plans. However, flights were operating on schedule.

"The road blockade will continue indefinitely," Joy Lal, joint general secretary of the AAI employees union, said.

CISF, CRPF and Delhi police forces were deployed in large numbers at the airport.

At Chhatrapati Shivaji airport in Mumbai, police cordoned off the entry point at the terminal building to facilitate passenger movement.

Two companies of rapid action force and additional police force were deployed at the airport to prevent any untoward incidents. A ten square feet area at the entrance of the airport was completely cordoned off and the striking employees assembled a little distance away from the main gate, police officials said.

Police had resorted to lathicharge yesterday after protesters started pelting stones and breaking police barricades at the entrance of the airport building.