Airline industry may take off again in 2011: Patel

Nagpur, Feb 1: Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel expressed hope that the rough patch for the aviation sector is almost over and that the airline industry would start seeing better days in 2011.

"I hope the sector will certainly revive in 2011," Patel said on Monday, Feb 1, while talking to reporters here.

The aviation sector across the world was one of the worst affected indutries due to the global economic slump in 2009-2010.

"There was a drop of 30 per cent in passenger load factor leading to losses in many top airlines in the world, including British Airways. But last quarter of 2009 has again raised some hopes of revival," Patel said.

On the stir over the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines, Patel said, "It is a baseless story. My ministry has already issued a clarification on the same day."

OneIndia News