H1N1: return flights packed as NRIs cut short holiday

“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. “July and August are peak seasons for NRIs in Gulf countries to visit India. This happens because of the Ramzan holidays when schools are shut. While the inbound passenger rush was usual this year,flights to Gulf countries are fully booked,” he said.

“My brother works in Dubai and was supposed to be here till September but wants to go back because of the scare. His son fell ill too,” said Kapil Varindani,a resident of Bandra. “But he is not getting the tickets as all flights are booked,” he added.

However,senior airlines officials say that apart from the swine flu scare the recession-induced cut in capacity by airlines is also leading to jam-packed flights. “We have cut capacity by 100 seats. Earlier we used to fly Boeing 777s to Dubai but are now flying the Airbus A 330,” said an executive from Cathay Pacific. While a Boeing 777 has 326 economy class seats and 59 business class seats,an Airbus A 330 has 223 and 41 respectively. “The last few weeks have been crazy and the situation is totally uncalled for. There was no need to panic and I had to constantly be in touch with my clients visiting the city,” said Ajay Prakash,General Secretary,TAFI.