Blame game over terminal commissioning

Oct. 11

The commissioning of the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapruam Interntaional airport is running into rough weather as the airlines have expressed their unwillingness to shift their opertaions to the new terminal.

The Airline Operators' Commiittee (AOC) of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport has given in writing to Airport Director the other day raising serious concerns over the delay in setting up the basic facilitiers, especially ground handling services and cargo handling.

“We have made it clear that it would be nearly impossible to operate from the new terminal until the basis opertaional requirements are provided. The ground handling facilities are yet to be made ready at the new terminal. Same is the issue with cargo handling,” AOC chairman Mathew George told Express.

Meanwhile, sources in the Civil Aviation Ministry told Express that AAI Chairman V.P.Aggarwal had written to Air India Chairman Arvind Javed directing that the ground handling services and other facilities of Air India be set up at the new teriminal without delay.

Air India which is the ground handling agency at the airport however puts the blame on the Airports Authority of India (AAI). “We are prepared to provide ground handling services provided the basis infrastructure faclities are in place. Since the international and domestic terminals would be on two sides of the runway once the new termional becomes operataional, the movement between the two terminals would be very crucial. For this, the perimetere road should have sufficient width,” said an Air India official on the condition of anonymity.

Air India Thiruvananthapuram station manager K.D.Sivanath was not available for giving his comment on the issue.

Meanwhile, Kerala State Industriual Enterprises, which is in charge of the cargo handling at the airport said that, they had received land for setting up a temporary cargo facility for the new terminal only a couple of days back. “The civil works for the temporary facility has been awarded to the Steel Industries Kerala Limited. We hope to complete the works in another 15-20 days,” said KSIE Managing Director Josemon.

The exporters in Thiruvananthapuram are also concered over commissioning of the airport at this stage. “ Cargo movement comprise half of the operataions from the airport. Hence, commissioning the airport with out a proper facility for cargo handling would be like having a handicapped baby, “ Agricultural Products and Processed Foods Exporters Association secretary Dil Koshy said.

There is a serious lapse on the part of the State Government and KSIE is setting up the facilities in time. Having a temporary facility for cargo movement is not desirable, he said adding that it would be better that the AAI takes over the cargo operations.

Amidst all these confusions, AAI is optimistic that the terminal could be commissioned during this month itself, provided all the agencies concerned cooperate.

Ends.