Click to play videoNew Delhi: The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) has declared that it is calling off its decision to suspend flights on August 18.
FIA officials say that in view of the agitated public sentiment and potential inconvenience to thousands of passengers on one hand and the willingness of the Government to enter into dialogue, the FIA has decided to call off the planned strike.
FIA said that it hopes that constructive dialogue with the Government will lead to the redressal of the problems faced by the aviation industry.
"The PM must come out for vibrant aviation strategy. It is time for the Govenment to make policies for aviation industry and for the country," said Deccan chief Captain Gopinath, speaking to CNN-IBN. "Fuel is not the only reason behind the strike. There are many more reasons," he added.
The cancellation of the planned suspension of flights has come from the FIA on behalf of airlines such as Kingfisher, Jetair, GoAir, Spicejet and Indigo.
The low-cost carriers were the first one to pull out from the strike.
"The low-cost carriers withdrew because they were falling in the trap of the full-serive carriers. IndiGo, SpiceJet are already in profit so they would not join the strike," said Gopinath.
"It is time that the Government makes policies not for the airlines or individual aiports but for the people of the country," said Gopinath.
"Praful Patel is no longer capable of handling this pressure alone till the time he gets a helping hand of the Law Ministry and Finance Ministry who do not report to him. So the PM as he did in the nuclear policy should come out and tell the country whether he laid a vibrant aviation infrastructure for this country. There is no strategic vision for aviation in this country," he added.
Imminent retraction of strike call
With the Aviation Ministry cracking the whip, private airlines' strike call on August 18 had appeared to be losing steam.
Following the FIA call for strike on August 18 demanding an immediate bailout, the Government had threatened the airlines with punitive action with Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel having warned the airlines to take "appropriate action" for causing inconvenience to passengers.
Budget carrier SpiceJet had said it was reconsidering its position and MDLR Airlines had announced that it would operate that day.
SpiceJet sources had said that the airline was taking bookings for August 18, the day when the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) has given a call for suspending flight operations to protest high taxes on jet fuel and airport charges.
Indigo had on Saturday night decided to walk out of the agitation, saying all airlines should engage in dialogue with the Civil Aviation Ministry to get the matters resolved.
PTI had reported that paramount sources had confirmed that Indigo Airlines would not join the call for suspending its operations on the day of the strike.
Air India had also announced that it would operate additional flights on the day in case private airline operators go ahead with their strike call.
That had left only major players Jet Airways and Kingfisher to be in the strike mode on August 18.
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