Amidst reports of various stakeholders, including the defence services, extending helping hand, the ground handling services of national carrier Air India operational at Kochi airport conducted a massive exercise overnight to salvage the equipments.
A Civil Aviation Ministry official said that the ground handling unit of Air India Air Transport Services limited (AIATSl) was quick enough to shift all the necessary ground handling equipments overnight by road from nearby airport stations of Tamil Nadu i.e. Trichy, Coimbatore and Madurai.
Sources said that AIATSl CEO Ashvini Kumar Sharma alongwith Air India General Manager Ground Handling A Murugaiyan who was in command of Southern Region ensures that the equipment and manpower was made available within the shortest possible time of 24 hrs from the various stations in the neighborhood.
"Trucks were loaded and the movement of the Ground Support equipment commenced at night and was monitored throughout by Capt Sharma to ensure safe and efficient movement of the costly items. We commend the role of AIATSl who went ahead out of their way by responding and contributing to the crisis professionally and to the best of their ability," said a Ministry official.
Air India sources said that AIATSl was prepared to handle both ATR-72 of Alliance Air and Airbus A319 & A320 narrow body Aircrafts at the Naval Base but clearance was not given by the regulatory authorities for Airbus A319 and A320 Aircrafts.
When the Kochi Airport was completely flooded and had to be closed during the period, the Centre decided to operate commercial flights from INS Garuda Naval base in Kochi. "At INS Garuda Naval base, AIATSl is privileged to stand by the people of Kerala during this time of natural crisis. Kudos to the staff of AIATSl," said the Air India official.