Thursday, February 2 2006 17:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Air traffic was largely unaffected on day two of the nationwide strike by airport employees but passenger amenities suffered and travellers had to face the ire of protestors who blocked entry and exit points at terminals, mainly in Delhi today (Feb 2,2006).

Protesting against privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports, striking employees blocked all entry and exit points at the domestic terminal in Delhi, which threw traffic out of gear.

However, flight operations were reported to be largely normal.

Airline officials claimed that air traffic was normal, but passengers arriving at the airport complained of delays.

The striking employees of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), however, vowed to continue their road blockade until the Government withdrew its airport privatisation plans.

"The road blockade will continue indefinitely," Joy Lal, Joint General Secretary of the AAI Employees Union, said.

Security was tight at the airport in view of the strike with personnel of the CISF, the CRPF and the Delhi Police deployed in large numbers.

Passenger amenities also took a hit at the NSC Bose International Airport in Kolkata where flight operations remained almost normal, with most of the planes taking off and landing as per schedule.

Airport director V K Monga said flights were operating but many of the facilities for the passengers could not be provided as the employees did not join their duties.

Passengers had to carry their own luggage as conveyor belts were not working, aero-bridge was not in service, the toilets were stinking and airconditioning system was not functioning properly in some pockets.

Outside the terminal buildings, the striking employees continued their dharna and shouted slogans against the Centre's decision to privatise the two airports but flight operations were not disturbed.

In Mumbai, the flight schedule was not disrupted as police maintained heavy bandobast and cordoned off the entry point at the terminal building to facilitate passenger movement. Two companies of Rapid Action Force and additional police force were deployed at the airport to prevent any untoward incident, police said.

The airport also witnessed some protest with around 200 officers of the Airport Authority Officers' Association beginning an indefinite relay hunger strike in front of the departure terminal of Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

Cargo delivery operations were affected

Cargo delivery operations were affected at the Chennai airport with almost all of the 1,500 employees joining the strike.

AAI Airport Director S Subramanian told sources that steps were being taken to normalise cargo delivery operations and it was expected to improve later in the day with more officers being deputed to work at the cargo complex.

However, there was no disruption of air services with all the seven morning flights, including three to Delhi and two to Mumbai, leaving as per schedule.

There was a slight delay in arrival and take off of flights from the Amausi airport in Lucknow but they continued to operate normally, airport sources said.The passengers also faced some problems due to the dharna programme.

At the Sanganer airport in Rajasthan, hundreds of airport employees began demonstration-cum-sit in but no flight scheduled was affected, official sources said.