Pvt airlines threaten to suspend operations

MUMBAI: The country���s private airlines have threatened to suspend nation-wide operations on August 18 to protest "high taxes of jet fuel and airport charges," the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) announced on Friday.

Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal said the government would treat ATF as "goods." If the government does so, taxes on ATF or jet fuel would come down which would in turn reduce the jet fuel prices. He said all the airlines were bleeding and had left with no other option but to seek the government support. The combined loss of the airline companies stood at Rs 10,000 crore in 2008-09.

Kingfisher Airlines chairman Vijay Mallya said the government had treated the private airlines indifferently. " We have been seeking government help for long," Mr Mallya said.

"It is a well-considered decision of all members not to fly on August 18," FIA Secretary General Anil Baijal told reporters.

Tickets booked for August 18 will be refunded. Air India, the government-owned national carrier, would not be part of the strike, Mr Baijal said.