Flights grounded, passengers stranded, processions roll at airport

Kolkata, Dec 14 (UNI) Even as flight operations came to a near halt at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport today and about 130 passengers left stranded, Airport Authorities Employees' Union (AAEU) members took out a procession in support of their demands.

Meanwhile, around 130 passengers were left stranded at the airport because of the strike. While 15 passengers were left stranded at the international airport, 115 were stranded at the domestic terminal.

AAI had to organise for their fooding and lodging throughout the day.

AAEU representatives presented a memorandum to the Airport Authorities of India Director V K Monga and to Executive Director of National Airports Division P K Bakshi that included demands relating to privatisation of airports, pension, promotion of employees and job opportunities for next of kin in the event of death of an employee in harness.

Mr Dipankar Ghosh, Branch Secretary AAEU, told UNI that they would intensify their agitation and continue their non-cooperation if their demands were not met in a reasonable time.

Members of the AAEU signed their roster, but did not join duty in support of the CITU-sponsored 24-hour strike.

Barring SpiceJet flights to Guwahati and Chennai and Indigo flight to Guwahati, all Indian and private flights remained cancelled today following the Left trade unions-sponsored 24-hour nationwide strike to protest the UPA government's industrial policy.

The SpiceJet flights and Indigo flight departed Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) airport before 6 am.

An Air India flight from Jeddah also arrived the NSCBI airport and would take off in the evening carrying Haj pilgrims.

Two Indian flights carrying Haj pilgrims from Patna and Guwahati would arrive the airport later in the day.

Airport Director V K Monga said though all the flights had been cancelled, the officers of the Airport Authority were, however, manning the Airport Traffic Control to ensure that flights flying over the city face no problems.

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