Govt to discuss new policy for aviation security next week

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) will discuss the new ground handling policy for airports next week. The new policy is likely to be implemented beginning January 1 next year, reports CNBC-TV18's Mehak Kasbekar.

The new ground handling policy will finally see the light of day. It has been over nine months that the government has been trying to implement this policy. A lot of private airlines have been opposing this policy. They think that right now ground handling is basically done by airlines themselves. They have about over 31,000 people that have been employed for this. A lot of investments in equipment as well as happened.

However, what we pick up from sources is that definitely by December 31 is the deadline for implementation of this. From January 1, the private airlines will have to choose either a private operator or Air India or the airport operator. They will have to choose out of these three on who will really handle ground handling at the airports here.

Also what we are picking up from sources is that a slightly a middle ground has been reached between private airlines and the Civil Aviation Ministry where maybe till a certain point or maybe till a check in point, the carriers maybe allowed to employ their own staff. But as of now what we are picking up is definitely that new policy will see the light of day and it will be taken up by the CCS next week.