Minister Calls For Talks With Indian Airlines

"The government understands the difficulties being faced by the aviation sector. However, the government does not support any move that will inconvenience the traveling public of the country," Mr. Patel said in a statement.

The Federation of Indian Airlines, or FIA, said Friday that private airlines in the country will suspend local operations for a day on Aug. 18 to protest against the lack of support from the federal government. FIA comprises carriers such as Jet Airways (India) Ltd., Kingfisher Airlines Ltd. and SpiceJet Ltd., which said their losses have reached unsustainable levels, citing high jet fuel costs and airport taxes.

Mr. Patel said the fuel tax is a state issue that the aviation ministry has been requesting the different states to "see reason." He added that state-run Air India won't participate in the day-long strike on Aug. 18, and will mount additional services to offset the inconvenience from a halt in other carriers' operations.

(c) Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Date posted: 3-Aug-09

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