Indian Airport strikes hit hard
Indian police took over much of the running of the country’s two main airports on Thursday as striking workers protested for a second day over threatened job cuts because of privatization.
Rubbish bins were overflowing, toilets were left uncleaned and passengers had to walk to terminals in the capital after protesters blockaded the main road to New Delhi Airport.
Authorities advised passengers to travel light and arrive early for flights and said backup services at the airports were in line with international safety standards.
“We have not compromised on safety. Passengers should be rest assured that safety has not been compromised,” Civil Aviation Secretary Ajay Prasad told reporters.
India, Asia’s third-largest economy, has embarked on a drive to modernize and revamp its Soviet-era airports in New Delhi, the capital, and Mumbai, the financial hub.
But the move has angered workers and nearly 23,000 members of the state-run Airports Authority of India have declared an indefinite strike over the move to bring in private companies to take over and modernize the shabby, run-down airports.
In Mumbai, the financial hub, the airport was strewn with litter, and in the eastern city of Kolkata baggage handling came to a standstill with airline staff helping passengers disembark.
But flights, with minor delays, were still operating.
Graham Muldoon
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports