AgroupoftravelagenciesinsouthChina'scityofShenzhenhaveissuedajointstatementagainstThailand'sCityAirways,boycottingtheairlineforitsunilateraldecisionearlierthisyeartocancelflights.
ThirteentravelagenciesinShenzhensaidtheywillnotbuyanytickets,signanyagreements,orestablishanybusinesspartnershipswithCityAirways.
Therecentstatementcomesafterfailedattemptsbytheagenciestoreachamutuallyagreedsolutionwiththeairline.
OnFebruary12,CityAirwayscancelledallofitsflightstoHongKongforthefollowingtwodayswithoutofferinganyexplanation,adecisionthatstrandedover1,600tourists.
TheThaiairlinelatercancelledallflightsafterFebruary,disruptingtravelplansofmanyothertourists.
TheagenciesandtheShenzhenTourismAssociationhavesinceattemptedtoestablishcontactwithCityAirwaysbuthavenotreceivedanyresponses.
StatsfromtheShenzhenTourismAssociationshowtheagenciessufferedanestimatedlossof10millionyuanduetotheunexpectedflightcancellations.
TheseagenciesaremullingoverlaunchingatransnationallegalactionagainstCityAirways.
ThecancellationalsoledtheThaicivilaviationauthoritytogroundtheairlinessayingthecompany'shugefinancialdebtwasthereason.
Theairlinesstartedoperationsin2011andallitsroutesflewbetweenThailandandHongKong.
ThecompanyearlieralsooperatedflightstotheChinesemainlandbutwasbannedfromflyingintothemainlandduetolackofpaymentoffeesowedtoairportsthere.
(CRI ONLINE)