No bailout to private airlines: Patel

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. Patel urged the Federation of Indian Aviation (FIA) to withdraw their alleged strike call. The interest of the passengers would be safeguarded and the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) would initiate action against the operators if needed, Patel warned. He also hinted that Air India would increase the number of flights to prevent passenger inconvenience Patel said he had no information about Paramount Airways joining the private operators strike. Patel said the tax on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) was an issue that had existed even before the private carriers had started their operations. Civil Aviation Ministry sources termed the strike threat as a pressure tactic, as Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, Spice Jet, IndiGo and GoAir carry about 100,000 passengers daily. The FIA has argued that unless the government helps them, their survival is in doubt.