Click to play videoNew Delhi: The strike on August 18 by private domestic airlines seems to have been strategically timed. With a long weekend attached most people had made holiday plans which are now in limbo. Is the news of the strike creating panic among fliers?
The news of private airlines going on a strike on August 18 has upset holiday plans of the Rai family. They had plans to fly to Kerala for the long weekend.
Finance executive Shivaz Rai had clubbed a business meeting in Mumbai on August 18 on his way back but with the strike by private airlines, even a journey to God's own country now hangs in balance.
"Family wise obviously this takes a long time to plan a vacation that everyone is able to go ahead and fit in their schedule, and to go ahead and get their business commitments in this obviously seems like we are not going to be able to do one or the other," said Rai.
The Air Passengers Association of India (APAI) has already appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to declare air travel as an essential service.
"The government should impose ESMA on it. We also plan to file public interest litigation in the Madras High Court on the issue," said APAI President Sudhakar Reddy.
It is not just the average air traveller whose plans are going haywire. Business too will suffer and bulk cancellation of tickets is not the only thing that has travel agents worried.
The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has an annual meet in Mumbai on August 18.
"At least 200 to 300 people have to attend in the meeting in Mumbai from all over country. For us this will create a major commotion," said TAAI Northern Region Chairman Anil Kalsi.
Travel agents say their clients haven't started cancelling tickets just yet and with the Director General of Civil Aviation promising extra Air India flights to reduce pressure; it is the passenger who will ultimately be getting the much required bail out.
(With inputs from Pratibha)
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