Airports Authority of India unions write to CMs against airport privatization

Sep 16, 2013, 06.39 AM IST

AHMEDABAD: The joint forum of unions and associations of Airports Authority of India (AAI) has sought the intervention of chief ministers of six states to stop the privatization of the six airports by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The Airports Authority Employees' Union (AAEU) at the Ahmedabad airport last week wrote a letter to chief minister Narendra Modi demanding immediate intervention and stopping the proposed action of privatization by the Central government. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to hand over the operations, management and development of six AAI-run airports in Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur and Guwahati to private parties on a public-private partnership basis. Over 12,000 employees in AAEU, including 170 in Ahmedabad, have begun protest against privatization by sporting a black ribbon at work. The AAEU has also planned a slew of protests in October, including hunger strike. The employees believe that privatization will not only increase the cost of services at airport but will also be a threat to their jobs. "The government has given 'mini-ratna' status to AAI and now they are giving its control to private players," said an airport employee. "In 2006, when the government had gone for privatization of Delhi and Mumbai airports, we had protested all over the country and then PM Manmohan Singh promised that no more airports will be privatized and now the government is turning back on its promise," said another employee. Meanwhile, the AAI has put up the requirements for qualification (RFQ) for filing the tender on its website for interested parties who can apply by December 2013. The process of privatization is expected to start by April 2014 at the city airport. Many AAI workers are afraid that they might lose their job. "We have read in the newspapers that the government has said that all the AAI employees will have to be retained by the private player. Look at what happened in Delhi and Mumbai. They took away lot of jobs," said an airport employee. TOI had earlier reported that the privatization will affect air travelers. The cost of services, airport development fee and user development fee will increase at least by 20 to 50 % and this in turn will increase the cost of flying. The forum in its letter has said that the government has already invested heavily in developing these airports and the move to privatise will lead to escalation of costs at airport. Protests planned Wearing of black badges - Already started. Candle march - October 21. Relay hunger strike - October 22-25. Gherao at all six airports - October 28- 31.