Strike across India's airports begins

By Bappa Majumdar

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Thousands of staff began an indefinite strike at 127 airports across India on Wednesday, but flights from Mumbai and New Delhi were unaffected, according to officials.

About 14,000 union members are striking over the imminent closure of two airports in Hyderabad and Bangalore, both home to many of India's software and outsourcing companies, to make way for modern, privately-run facilities.

The striking workers are mostly employed in airport support services and include electricians, plumbers, cleaners, engineers and emergency fire support staff.

Most of the striking employees stayed away from work in airports across India, causing problems to passengers as toilets remained uncleaned and heaps of garbage piled up in some places.

About 1,000 employees did not report in the morning at the domestic airport in Chennai, officials said.

"We are putting into operation contingency plans now," Dinesh Kumar, the airport director said in Chennai on Wednesday.

However, flight operations were normal in big cities, including New Delhi, Arun Arora, the Airports Authority of India spokesman said.

Unlike most airports in India, New Delhi and Mumbai are already privately-run and union influence is weak.