airfare clash, 4 dead

[densoo]

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel...r-air-fares-turns-violent-20110808-1ii7n.html

Four killed as clash over air fares turns violent

August 8, 2011 - 10:20AM

Four people were shot dead and 23 injured in violent clashes over the price of air tickets in the South Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia, officials say.

Saturday's violence on the island of Mare came during protests over fare increases that have prompted locals to blockade airports in recent days.

"Mare has lived a nightmare day. Two platoons of police were sent there and hopefully calm will return tonight. It is a tragic outcome," High Commissioner Albert Dupuy said.

He said that during the day the deputy commissioner in the Loyalty Islands had "numerous contacts with both parties to appeal to them to talk but the situation was too tense."

The clashes occurred as part of protests by users of Air Caledonie who have blocked airports since July 22 in protest at domestic airline's new pricing policy.

A group of residents of Mare's Ghuama district, whose chief Nidoish Naisseline is also the airline chairman, attempted to dislodge protesters occupying the airfield.

Tensions between the two groups, both armed, quickly turned violent on Saturday.

 

[Ex737Driver]

When flying is seen more as a right than a privilege, what else would you expect to happen?

 

[Fubijaakr]

Now THAT'S a fare war.

 

[densoo]

There won't be blood shed over it in this country, but this is partly why the FAA bill was held up last week, over subsidized service to rural communities. To monetarily rationalize the service you'd have to cease it or raise fares to cover the actual cost. Guess they didn't like the second option.