Govt opposes flight suspension by pvt airlines

With private airlines suspending operations on August 18, the government today said it does not support any move to inconvenience the travelling public and asked the carriers to engage in a dialogue.

"The government understands the problems being faced by the aviation sector. However, it does not support any move that will inconvenience the travelling public in the country," Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said.

"We advise the airlines to engage in a dialogue with the government," he told PTI.

Referring to the issues raised by the Federation of Indian Airlines at a meeting in Mumbai, Patel said "the issue of tax on ATF is a state issue and the aviation ministry has been requesting the states for the last few years to see reason."

He said the other issues primarily relate to the economic slowdown and the impact of high ATF prices in 2008-09.

In the wake of the call to suspend services by the private carriers, Patel said Air India would not participate in the decision of "select private airlines and will mount additional services on August 18 so as to reduce any inconvenience to the public".