Date:02/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/02/02/stories/2006020201810200.htm

Back Flight operations normal in Bangalore, Mangalore airports

Our Bureau

Bangalore , Feb. 1

AT Bangalore's HAL-controlled airport, the operations were normal and peaceful, airport officials said.

"The day went off well and flights were undisrupted. Some of the AAI staff had a half-hour demonstration during lunch," they said.

There are some 185 AAI staff. HAL controls the critical air traffic control and fire services, while AAI is in charge of maintenance of domestic and international terminals, civil and electrical systems. Many of the activities like aerobridge operations are anyway outsourced, officials said.

Our Mangalore Bureau adds: Operations at the Mangalore airport were unaffected despite a strike call by the Airports Authority of India Joint Workers' Forum.

Barring ATC (air traffic control) staff, all others participated in the strike.

Sources in the airport told Business Line that the authorities had taken the help of Central Industrial Security Force and the fire service division of the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd. "No passenger was put to discomfort due to the strike," said the source.

Mangalore airport witnesses 12 aircraft movements - four on Bangalore-Mangalore-Bangalore sector and eight on Mumbai-Mangalore-Mumbai sector - daily.

While Jet Airways operates three flights to and from Mangalore, Indian Airlines, Kingfisher Airlines and Air Deccan operate one flight each to and from Mangalore.