New Delhi: The new ground handling policy, slated to come into effect at six major airports from 1 July, is unlikely to be implemented for now with the government contemplating maintaining status quo for a few more months as necessary arrangements are not in place.

The new policy for ground handling allows airport operators, Air India or its subsidiaries or any other service provider selected through bidding, to carry out these activities, which range from passenger check-in, baggage and cargo handling to cleaning and refuelling of aircraft.

There are indications that the Cabinet Committee on Security, which has been dealing with the issue, could recommend status quo for another three months beyond Tuesday, informed sources said.

Private carriers have been opposing the policy saying it would bind them to choose from within three agencies to get these services.

Following the opposition from the private carriers, the government had deferred implementation of the policy from 1 January to 1 July, as they wanted the self-handling practice to continue so as to enable them save costs and provide timely ground handling for their flights.

As per the earlier plans, the new policy would have come into effect at six major airports--Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad--to begin with.