Date:02/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/02/02/stories/2006020201350200.htm

Back Cargo movement hit at Chennai airport

Our Bureau

Chennai , Feb. 1

CLEARANCE of regular cargo was affected at the Chennai air cargo complex following the strike by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) staff, airline sources said.

The strike was part of a nationwide protest by the AAI staff against the privatisation of the Mumbai and Delhi airports.

The only export cargo being cleared was perishables and newspapers. In imports, some diplomatic cargo and human remains were cleared, sources said.

According to Mr S. Subramanian, Chennai Airport Director, services were not disrupted. None of the cargo facilities were closed down, skeletal services were operated and some cargo was accepted. The strike has come at a time when there is a surge in air cargo, with export volumes touching approximately 8,000 tonnes a month.