Patel tells private air operators to talk rather than going on strike

October 5th, 2009 BHUBANESWAR - An indefinite strike called by private bus operators in Bhubaneswar entered its fourth day on Monday, as passengers continued to bear the brunt. The private bus operators are protesting against the collection of toll at multiple points on the National Highway (NH)- five and NH five (A).

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 - 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 - 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 - Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel said on Saturday that the government would not offer bailout package to private airlines. On Friday, the private airlines announced that they suspend their operations on August 18 if the government did not help them to cut down costs.

July 31st, 2009 MUMBAI - 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.

July 2nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Employees of India's flagship carrier Air India have announced they will be on strike for two hours on Friday in protest against the non-payment of salaries. Air India has said it will not be able to pay the salaries tomorrow as scheduled.

May 4th, 2009 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Several leading tour operators from Britain arrived here Monday for a four-day Kerala familiarisation trip. The group includes senior officials of top British tour companies Carlton Leisure, Crystal, Exodus, Explore, Allison Brothers and Kuoni and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Ethihad Airways.

March 22nd, 2009 AHMEDABAD - The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Gujarat unit president, Jayant Patel, on Saturday said the party has decided to field Bollywood actress Amisha Patel from the Rajkot parliamentary constituency in the general elections. "I called up Amishaji yesterday and sought her consent.

March 21st, 2009 RAJKOT - The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Gujarat president, Jayant Patel, on Friday said that the party could field either former cricketer Ajay Jadeja or Bollywood actress Amisha Patel from Rajkot parliamentary constituency. "It is true that we are going to field a celebrity from the Rajkot seat.

February 10th, 2009 NEW DELHI - After Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel Wednesday morning warned airline operators against 'cartelisation', the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), asked them to explain their fare hikes. The move came a day after Indian carriers, including budget airlines, withdrew promotional fares and hiked the base tariff.

January 13th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The government should consider allowing foreign airline operators to own up to 25 percent stake in Indian carriers, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said here Wednesday. 'We have not taken a formal decision on this.

January 4th, 2009 CHANDIGARH/JALANDHAR - With truck operators beginning their nationwide strike, shortage of vegetables and other essential commodities is expected in markets across India. Thousands of trucks from Punjab and Haryana went off the roads midnight Sunday following a strike call given by the transporters' body, the All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC).

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.