Travel agents press for continuation of Sharjah service
The Travel Agents Association of India has appealed to the Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Praful Patel, to ensure that the Chennai-Tiruchi-Thiruvanathapuram-Sharjah service of the Air India was not withdrawn as proposed by the airline.
In a representation to the Minister, R. Venkatachalam, Chairman, South Tamil Nadu Chapter of the association, pointed out that the Air India has decided to withdraw the service from October 26 under its winter schedule.
The withdrawal of the service, he said, would have an adverse impact on national carrier as the flights have been operating profitably, except for the past few months, since 1995. The withdrawal of the service would affect travellers from Tiruchi, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Karur, Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai and other southern districts. They would now opt for private carriers from other destinations. Mr. Venkatachalam suggested that the Sharjah flight be extended up to Kuwait to generate maximum revenue and assured that the travel trade of south Tamil Nadu would support such a service. The flights could be operated as a low cost service from Chennai/Tiruchi in the evenings and the return flights from Sharjah/Kuwait could be operated in the mornings so that it also serves as a connecting flight from Tiruchi to Chennai. Alternatively, Air India Express could operate the service on the Chennai-Tiruchi-Sharjah-Tiruchi-Chennai sector to reduce the cost of operation, he said. A copy of the representation was handed to the Air India Station Manager, T. H. Radhakrishnan, by the association representatives.
In a representation to the Minister, R. Venkatachalam, Chairman, South Tamil Nadu Chapter of the association, pointed out that the Air India has decided to withdraw the service from October 26 under its winter schedule.
The withdrawal of the service, he said, would have an adverse impact on national carrier as the flights have been operating profitably, except for the past few months, since 1995. The withdrawal of the service would affect travellers from Tiruchi, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Karur, Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai and other southern districts. They would now opt for private carriers from other destinations. Mr. Venkatachalam suggested that the Sharjah flight be extended up to Kuwait to generate maximum revenue and assured that the travel trade of south Tamil Nadu would support such a service. The flights could be operated as a low cost service from Chennai/Tiruchi in the evenings and the return flights from Sharjah/Kuwait could be operated in the mornings so that it also serves as a connecting flight from Tiruchi to Chennai. Alternatively, Air India Express could operate the service on the Chennai-Tiruchi-Sharjah-Tiruchi-Chennai sector to reduce the cost of operation, he said. A copy of the representation was handed to the Air India Station Manager, T. H. Radhakrishnan, by the association representatives.
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