Government To Discuss Us Attack Fallout With Global Airlines Today

The government has called major international airlines such as Air-India, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France and Indian Airlines and representatives of the tourism industry including travel agents and tour operators to discuss the fallout of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US and arrive at a package to boost the sectors.

The tourism ministry has called the meeting on Thursday. Representatives from the civil aviation ministry are also expected to attend the meeting.

Top government officials told Business Standard that the meeting had been called to discuss the prospects of international tourism in India, in view of the tourism attacks in the US and the resultant slump in the global aviation and tourism sectors.

Industry estimates reveal that the American airlines alone have lost around $8 billion since September 11. Air-India has rescheduled its services and even nipped flights to certain sectors.

Indian Airlines would also soon be "rationalising its routes and reducing services to heavily frequented sectors". Jet Airways is also said to be taking steps to cut costs.

Effects of the slow down have already become visible in India with passenger volumes dropping and carriers such as United Airlines, NorthWest and Swiss Air curtailing operations and tour operators reporting heavy cancellations and significant drop in reservations.

When contacted, a senior Indian Airlines executive told Business Standard that though September has traditionally been one of the lean season months for India, this year, leave alone international traffic, even domestic traffic has been leaner than normal. The passenger load factor (PLF) for Indian Airlines has been sub-60 per cent for September 2001. The PLF for September 2000 was 63.5 per cent.

After hearing the views of the airlines and tour operators, we hope to be able to work out sops required for the sectors, the officials said.

No decision yet on today