H1N1: Return flights packed as NRIs cut short holiday

Mumbai: The swine flu scare has made several NRIs and people working abroad — particularly the Gulf — visiting Pune and Mumbai to cut short their vacation prematurely, say travel agents in Mumbai.
According to travel agents, a large number of Indians living in the Gulf countries have cancelled their travel plans in the past two weeks.
“In all, there has been about 40 per cent cancellations,” said Pradeep Lulla, National President, Travel Agents Association of India (TAFI). “Many are leaving the country because of swine flu and even the domestic travel industry has been hit,” he said.
According to Lulla, many corporate bookings have been cancelled and promotional functions called off because of the panic. The maximum rush, according to a senior airline official from a private international airline, is for the Gulf countries.
19/08/09 Shashank Shekhar/Indian Express

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Categories: Foreign Aug 2009, Indian Aviation- In General Aug 2009