Private air operators to suspend operation on August 18

Mumbai, July 31(ANI): The country's private airlines on Friday joined hands to demand a bailout from the Government and announced they would suspend their operation on August 18.

The Secretary General of The Federation of Indian airlines Anil Baijal announced the decision, after the meeting which was attended by the representatives of Kingfisher, Jet Airways, Spice et and Indigo Airlines,

Addressing a joint press conference Vijay Mallya of Kingfisher Airlines and Naresh Goyal of the Jet Airways said the tickets booked for August 18 would be refunded.

However, national carrier Air India will not be part of the strike.

Mallya told, the private air operators are considering suspending their domestic flights indefinitely if their losses continue to mount.

"We are bleeding today, we need help to sustain," said Goyal of Jet Airways.

The federation estimates the aviation industry would lose Rs 57,000 crore this year. It made losses of Rs 10,000 crore in 2008-2009. (ANI)