The Indian government has engaged consultancy firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) to evaluate the country’s new air cargo policy ahead of implementation.
Issues being considered include allowing express cargo carriers to do their own ground handling at airports.
“We understand ground handling agents may not be skilled enough to handle (express) cargo operated by freighter airlines,” said a senior civil aviation ministry official.
The proposed ground handling policy (from January 2009) says that the same set of agents would handle passenger baggage, cargo that is carried in the bellyhold of passenger aircraft and express cargo.
Express operators, already hurt by delays at India's airports, say time-guarantees mean clients can claim against them for late deliveries, and that they should be allowed to protect their own businesses.
Aircargo Asia Pacific