KHPL seeks CIAL intervention to address deteriorating ground handling operations

KOCHI: With trouble between CIAL airport contractor Khullar Hospitality Pvt Ltd (KHPL) and employees increasing, KHPL has sought CIAL authorities' intervention to address the issue of deteriorating ground handling operations.
In a statement, KHPL said that despite collecting one of the highest royalties, CIAL has rendered no assistance to the company to ensure smooth and professional operations at the airport.
“We are shocked to see that the airport authorities have turned a blind eye and allowed the situation at the airport to deteriorate leading to frequent disruptions in flights, illegal strikes and stoppage of work affecting the departure of flights and causing inconvenience to passengers. Although there are provisions to impose Essential Services Act when such disruptions occur, it is strange that authorities have remained a mute spectator and allowed local workers to take things on a ransom with support from local unions,” said a senior company officials of KHPL.
CIAL collects about 38% of revenue by providing Ground Handling Services to various airlines operating in and out of the Kochi airport.
“We as a company are willing to listen, discuss and agree on genuine demands of the employee. But we shall not bend backwards to unethical, illegitimate and restrictive practices of some employees who are bringing bad name to the state by causing regular strikes ,disruption and making unethical demands without working,” added the official.