Travel agencies in Shenzhen boycott Thailand's City Airways

CRI Online

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AgroupoftravelagenciesinsouthChina'scityofShenzhenhaveissuedajointstatementagainstThailand'sCityAirways,boycottingtheairlineforitsunilateraldecisionearlierthisyeartocancelflights.

ThirteentravelagenciesinShenzhensaidtheywillnotbuyanytickets,signanyagreements,orestablishanybusinesspartnershipswithCityAirways.

Therecentstatementcomesafterfailedattemptsbytheagenciestoreachamutuallyagreedsolutionwiththeairline.

OnFebruary12,CityAirwayscancelledallofitsflightstoHongKongforthefollowingtwodayswithoutofferinganyexplanation,adecisionthatstrandedover1,600tourists.

TheThaiairlinelatercancelledallflightsafterFebruary,disruptingtravelplansofmanyothertourists.

TheagenciesandtheShenzhenTourismAssociationhavesinceattemptedtoestablishcontactwithCityAirwaysbuthavenotreceivedanyresponses.

StatsfromtheShenzhenTourismAssociationshowtheagenciessufferedanestimatedlossof10millionyuanduetotheunexpectedflightcancellations.

TheseagenciesaremullingoverlaunchingatransnationallegalactionagainstCityAirways.

ThecancellationalsoledtheThaicivilaviationauthoritytogroundtheairlinessayingthecompany'shugefinancialdebtwasthereason.

Theairlinesstartedoperationsin2011andallitsroutesflewbetweenThailandandHongKong.

ThecompanyearlieralsooperatedflightstotheChinesemainlandbutwasbannedfromflyingintothemainlandduetolackofpaymentoffeesowedtoairportsthere.

(CRI ONLINE)