HC seeks affidavit on Bangkok flight

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 18

Less than a week after Air India announced discontinuation of its Chandigarh-Bangkok flight, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the airlines to file an affidavit. The direction came after the airlines told the court that the flight might be re-launched on October 1. 

As the petition filed in public interest for making the Chandigarh airport fully operational for international flights came up for resumed hearing, a statement on re-launching the flight was made by Air India. It came after the Bench was told about the announcement of suspension of the flight.

Taking note of the developments, the Bench directed Air India to file an affidavit. The court also asked Air India to furnish details of starting a flight to Singapore from Chandigarh. The Bench of Chief Justice Krishna Murari and Justice Arun Palli, in fact, directed Air India to clarify the position regarding the Bangkok and Singapore flights by filing an affidavit. “Don’t compel the court to take strict action, we will not hesitate in summoning your CMD,” the Bench observed.

Appearing for the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Assistant Solicitor General Chetan Mittal said the authority had already started duty-free shops and related facilities at the Chandigarh airport following the start of the Bangkok flight and announcement of the Singapore flight.

Mittal said it would be difficult for the AAI to manage duty-free shops just for two flights after the cancellation of the Bangkok flight. He said Air India had also cancelled its Amritsar-Birmingham flight on the same lines despite a good response.

The matter had reached the High Court after the Mohali Industries Association had filed a petition in public interest, seeking directions to the Union of India to submit a status report on re-carpeting and upgrade of the runway.