Crisis-hit ground handling operators seek govt support

Reeling under the impact of the pandemic, ground handling operators have sought government support, including an at least two-year moratorium on interest charges on bank loans and instructions to airport operators not to charge concessions and rental fees till normalcy returns, to help tide over the current crisis.

The industry, which is estimated to have incurred a loss of Rs 800-900 crore in the last financial year due to no international operations that account for around 70 per cent of its total business, also wants the government to reopen the overseas flights in a planned and restructured manner.

In a representation to the civil aviation ministry recently, industry body Ground Handling Association of India (GHIA) said the last many months have been "challenging" for the industry and given the situation, the government needs to come up with considerations and support measures to help it survive this challenging phase. "The civil aviation ministry must consider advising the banks to provide a moratorium on interest charges on loans for a period of at least two years."It should also consider instructing the Airports Authority of India (AAI) not to enforce operations, management, development agreement (OMDA)-related royalties on the airport operators and further instructing airport operators to translate the same down the line to all stakeholders, including ground handlers," GHAI said in the representation.

The association comprises players that are into ground handling activities across major airports in the country. These include Turkish aviation firm Celebi, Indo Thai Airport Management Services, Air India SATS, and Bhadra Ground Handling Services. It has also sought a stimulus to sustain salary payment and allow subsistence allowances to minimise retrenchment.