Indian airline strike

INDIA’S independent airlines, in an unprecedented move, are themselves threatening to go on strike for a single day on 18 August in protest at the lack of government relief for the ailing industry.  International operations would not be effected.  These privately run operations normally carry over 80% of India's air passengers.  High operating costs and a fall in demand in the global economic slowdown have hit India's aviation industry.  It is expected to lose US$2.1bn in 2009/10 from an average annual growth of more than 25% in the past few years, when the economy was booming.  The biggest gripe is over fuel tax which is not uniform over the various states and currently is on average 26%.  They want it reduced to 4%.  The airlines are the key to the Indian economy, which like others all around the world, are struggling.  Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), which includes the country’s five largest independent carriers, is coordinating the campaign. www.fiaindia.in 

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