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CHENNAI: The economic slowdown is triggering job losses all around, but a move to bring efficiency and security may mean job cuts for many of the 4,000 workers employed in ground handling operations at Chennai airport.

Ground handling operations at the airport will soon be taken over by one or two multi-national companies as the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has invited expressions of interest and will award contracts based on the bids.

These companies will form joint venture partnerships with the AAI or Air India for ground handling. Air India now has 80 percent control of ground handling across airports, including Chennai.

Bids for ground handling are being finalized for Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Kolkata and Chennai will be finalized after that. This will eliminate several small sub-contractors.

The move is expected to increase efficiency because the multi-national companies have expertise in handling ground operations for airports abroad. It is also expected to improve security as the number of agencies and people working inside an airport will be minimized.

Ground handling comprises of a host of services like aircraft handling, servicing, cleaning, loading and unloading of baggage, transhipment of baggage, operation of loading and unloading equipment, passenger stairs or bridges, handling cargo, ferrying passengers and crew from terminal to aircraft, watch and ward of registered baggage or cargo or aircraft and handling equipment.

Reputed companies like Singapore Airport Terminal Services, Dubai-based Dnata, Swissport, UK-based Menzies Aviation, US-based Worldwide Freight Systems and others are in the fray, said AAI sources.