AI losing heavily

By Gargi Parsai

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 15. The week-long suspension of Air-India's service to New York and Chicago, in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on Tuesday, is leading to a daily loss of Rs. 5 crores. The airline has announced that it will resume normal operations from September 19.

The U.S. airspace has been opened but no direct flights are operating out of India yet to that country. Most trans-Atlantic airlines have gradually resumed their operations to their hub in Europe, but their priority is to first fly out the passengers stranded from cancelled or diverted flights on September 11 following the terrorist attacks. Lufthansa has reported 55,000 stranded passengers at Frankfurt airport.

Only those U.S.-bound international airlines that meet the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) new security guidelines are allowed entry into American airspace.

British Airways will operate 18 of its 36 daily return services to the U.S. and normal four flights to Canada from U.K. airports. Singapore Airlines will first complete the journeys diverted on September 11. United Airlines and North-West, will however, not operate their direct flights from India to the U.S. yet.

As part of new security measures, intelligence agencies have unobtrusively taken over major airports. At Delhi airport, an additional 700 personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) have been deployed to assist the police in manning various points. No post will be left unmanned for even a moment from now on. State Governments unable to enhance personnel have been proffered help by the Centre. In addition, sniffer dogs have been deployed. On the cargo side, more explosive detectors and metal detectors have been put in place. Instructions have gone out to segregate cargo meant for different countries. Those meant for the U.S. and Canada are being given extra attention to prevent any tampering or sabotage.

Personnel not on duty shall not henceforth be allowed entry into airports and those authorised to enter will have to display their picture identity cards prominently.

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Section  : National
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