Bleeding airlines cut Goa flights

Panaji: Rising airfares have clipped the passenger's wings. Fewer domestic travellers are flying into or out of Goa. And with travellers looking for alternative modes of travel, airlines have been forced to cut down flights.
Says Peter Simoes of the Panaji-based Ezy Travels, "Bookings by domestic travellers is down by 40% to 50%. An air ticket to Mumbai now costs a minimum of Rs 3,100. For the same price you can buy two to three train tickets."
Edwin Gomendes of Jet International, Margao, also says domestic air travel is down 30%. Air travel had gone on an upswing after budget airlines barged into the market, he said, adding that the rise in the price of aviation fuel, coupled with inflation, has had an adverse effect. Those who had been wooed by the no-frills airlines are now going back to trains, says Gera.
In view of the grim scenario, airlines have cut flights. "Airlines have themselves officially admitted that they are reducing 25% of their flights," says Mohan Gera of MGM International.
With the end of the tourist season in May, the number of planes landing at Dabolim airport has gone down considerably. According to Nilesh Shah of Raj Travels, most airline companies have cut flights.
16/08/08 Gauree Malkarnekar/Times of India

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Airports Aug 2008, Indian Aviation- In General Aug 2008