Government not to offer bailout to private airlines, says Patel

September 16th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said here on Wednesday that a revival plan for national carrier Air India is on track and his ministry will soon approach the Union Cabinet for approving infusion of equity. Speaking to newsmen, on the sidelines of the symposium on cooperation between India and Asia in the aviation sector, Patel said the revival plan is in the process of being finalised.

August 13th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel informed on Thursday that the Centre has decided to set up a Group of Ministers (GoM) to look into the issue of jet fuel pricing and demands of the airline industry. The Union Cabinet took the decision to form a GoM after Patel made a detail presentation on the problems faced by the aviation industry.

August 11th, 2009 NEW DELHI - India's private airline operators met Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, demanding reduction in sales tax on jet fuel and airport charges. The representatives of Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), which includes five of India's top private airlines, met Patel to present their demands after they put their August 18 strike "on hold" in view of the inconvenience it could cause to thousands of passengers.

August 3rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - A day after private airlines called off their Aug 18 strike, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel Monday ruled out any kind of bailout for them or for the state-owned carrier Air India. "There is no question of a financial bailout for private airlines.

August 3rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Even with the private airlines calling off their planned protest of August 18, the Union Government has stood firm and ruled out any financial bailout for them. Speaking to the reporters here on Monday Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel said, "There is no question of a financial bailout for private airlines." He also made it clear that the government would not bail out Air India.

August 2nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - India's private airlines Sunday called off their proposal to suspend domestic operations Aug 18 in view of widespread public protest and a stern warning from the government. The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), a representative body of the carriers, had earlier said the private airlines would not fly Aug 18 if the government failed to announce a bailout package to help tide over the ongoing crisis which they claim has escalated their collective losses to over $2 billion.

August 2nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Faced with stern action by the government and all-round resentment and anguish expressed by air travellers, private airlines in India late Sunday called off their proposal to suspend domestic operations from Aug 18. In a communiqu issued in Mumbai, the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), a representative body of private carriers, said its secretary general Anil Baijal was able to "impress upon" the members to hold back their decision.

August 2nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - In a major respite to air passengers the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) on Sunday called off its proposed strike, announced earlier by the private airlines to protest against high airport charges and high taxation on ATF prices. The strike was called off by the FIA on behalf of airlines, including Kingfisher, Jetair, GoAir, Spicejet and Indigo.

August 1st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel Saturday asked private airlines not to suspend operations Aug 18 and come to the table for discussions rather than inconvenience passengers. The regulator also stepped in and asked the airlines to explain the reason for their decision.

August 1st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Minster of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel has urged the private air operators to come forward for negotiations rather than threatening to suspend on August 18. Patel said, the government understood the problems of the aviation sector, but maintained that it would not tolerate inconvenience to the paying public.

August 1st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel Saturday asked private airlines withdraw their proposal to suspend operations Aug 18 and asked them come to the table for discussions rather than inconvenience passengers. "The government understands the difficulties being faced by aviation sector.

July 29th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said on Wednesday airlines operating from India should follow the law of the land while frisking passengers in airports. Referring to the recent controversy over the frisking of Former President A.P.J.

July 2nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - National carrier Air India has been asked to present its restructuring plan within a month, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said Thursday and reiterated that the airline cannot take the government for granted. "The government wants to know what is needed to be implemented in coming weeks and years.

June 24th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel Wednesday said the government would support and help bail out the loss-making national carrier Air India, but stopped short of spelling out the size or nature of the package. Patel discussed a bailout plan with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

December 22nd, 2008 NEW DELHI - The government Tuesday said it would take 'all possible steps, including legal action' against airlines if they continue to default on airport service charge dues. According to the government, the airlines owe around Rs.11.01 billion (Rs.1,101 crore) to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in the airport service charge.