Passengers demand paid assistance service be restarted at airport

Pune: The meet and greet service at the Pune airport which facilitated carrying of baggage and smooth entry and check-in process for travellers in need of assistance at a sum of Rs200 was stopped some seven months ago and citizens want it restarted at the earliest.
Neeraj Kumar, a working professional from Vimannagar, was dejected when he came to know about the development."I tried calling the company's number to no response. Later, I found out that the service has been suspended. My parents, who are senior citizens, are to travel out of Pune. I was hoping to book the facility for them. Such passenger-friendly assistance must continue," he said.
The paid assistance was started by a Chennai-based firm in 2021. It included helping passengers with their bags and the check-in process for Rs200. Staffers included young men and women who would come to the help of flyers near the departure and arrival gates. The company's similar services continue to be operational at various airports in the country.
Meanwhile, Pune airport director Santosh Dhoke told TOI that the company had shut shop due to low demand. "We did not tell them to cease operations. The company did not receive a good response and decided to call it off. At present, we are working to restart it in an improved version and a tender has been floated. We hope to begin the service with improvements soon," the director said.
An official said the Chennai-based company named Global Flight Handling Services Private Limited had started the facility. "They used to charge Rs200 to ensure passengers entered the airport without hassles and check-in was completed smoothly. The service provider had their own luggage trolleys and passenger taking their paid assistance didn't have to do anything," he added.
"Earlier, there were many staffers standing at the gate to help senior citizens or people with children. Today the service is needed more what with the distance between the arrival and parking area increasing. Also, the festival season has started and there will be chaos and crowds at the airport, especially during Navratra and Diwali. The airport authorities should re-start the facility immediately," a passenger said.
Frequent flyer Sameer Ranade said the paid assistance was useful. "Once booked, we would not worry ourselves sick about passengers travelling unattended. I availed the service twice for my parents and it was good. Such facilities ease travel and should be operational. I wonder what the airport authorities are doing to revive it and whether it is even under consideration," a Koregaon Park resident and businessman said.
Calls made to the company on the number provided on its website went unanswered since Thursday morning till the time of going to press. An e-mail was sent and an answer awaited. Surprisingly, the company's X page said they were still active at Pune airport providing ground handling services to some airlines.
When contacted, a Pune-based official of the company said, "The service stopped some months ago. I don't quite know the reason behind it."