CHENNAI: Airports Authority of India (AAI) is gearing up to
train its employees and terminal managers to manage and operate the swanky
terminal buildings that were opened last week at Chennai airport.
The move comes after AAI seniors felt their employees are not equipped to handle the technology-heavy operations at the modern terminals. "We are in talks with a few foreign airports for possible tie-ups to manage and operate Chennai's new terminals and to train our staff abroad. Over the years, operation of terminals has become technology-intensive. Training will equip AAI staff to manage the terminals efficiently because we are planning to boost passenger capacity and make Chennai a major hub like Mumbai and Delhi," said AAI chairman V P Agrawal.
The AAI has started scouting for joint venture partners to run the new terminals. The airports in Changi, Zurich airport and Kuala Lumpur have expressed interest in collaborating with AAI. "We've had informal talks. This is a separate policy aimed at operating terminals to match the high standards expected from passengers without privatising the airport," the AAI chairman said. Till partnerships are firmed up, airport officials are planning to outsource operations like conservancy and baggage handling.
An airport official said the terminals are mostly made of glass and steel which need frequent cleaning and maintenance which cannot be done manually. "We will need specialists in airport conservancy. Such firms or airport-specific equipment are not available in India. AAI staff does not have the expertise to identify such firms because we have never had such requirements before".
The Planning Commission had earlier suggested that Chennai and Kolkata airports should be privatised. The AAI has now suggested this joint venture proposal to avoid privatisation because these two are the only major airports left with the cash-strapped public sector airport operator. "We are not getting a favourable response for financing options from the government. So, joint ventures and outsourcing are the only way to provide better services at less cost," said a senior officer.
Some of the the technology-assisted facilities at the airport would be the inline baggage scanner that will screens and segregate bags at five levels, the common use terminal equipment which allows any airline to use any of the 52 counters to check in passengers, flight information services, and others. In addition to this, the airport will require sophisticated machines to clean glass walls and floors of the terminals spread over 1,33,462sqmt.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Airports-Authority-of-India-scouts-for-foreign-ties-to-run-terminals/articleshow/18342313.cms
The move comes after AAI seniors felt their employees are not equipped to handle the technology-heavy operations at the modern terminals. "We are in talks with a few foreign airports for possible tie-ups to manage and operate Chennai's new terminals and to train our staff abroad. Over the years, operation of terminals has become technology-intensive. Training will equip AAI staff to manage the terminals efficiently because we are planning to boost passenger capacity and make Chennai a major hub like Mumbai and Delhi," said AAI chairman V P Agrawal.
The AAI has started scouting for joint venture partners to run the new terminals. The airports in Changi, Zurich airport and Kuala Lumpur have expressed interest in collaborating with AAI. "We've had informal talks. This is a separate policy aimed at operating terminals to match the high standards expected from passengers without privatising the airport," the AAI chairman said. Till partnerships are firmed up, airport officials are planning to outsource operations like conservancy and baggage handling.
An airport official said the terminals are mostly made of glass and steel which need frequent cleaning and maintenance which cannot be done manually. "We will need specialists in airport conservancy. Such firms or airport-specific equipment are not available in India. AAI staff does not have the expertise to identify such firms because we have never had such requirements before".
The Planning Commission had earlier suggested that Chennai and Kolkata airports should be privatised. The AAI has now suggested this joint venture proposal to avoid privatisation because these two are the only major airports left with the cash-strapped public sector airport operator. "We are not getting a favourable response for financing options from the government. So, joint ventures and outsourcing are the only way to provide better services at less cost," said a senior officer.
Some of the the technology-assisted facilities at the airport would be the inline baggage scanner that will screens and segregate bags at five levels, the common use terminal equipment which allows any airline to use any of the 52 counters to check in passengers, flight information services, and others. In addition to this, the airport will require sophisticated machines to clean glass walls and floors of the terminals spread over 1,33,462sqmt.
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