European airlines' passenger traffic fell a substantial 12 percent on international scheduled services during the first week of the war against Iraq, compared to the same period a year ago, the Association of European Airlines (AEA) disclosed.
Compared to the same week in 2002, traffic fell 42.2 percent on routes to the Middle East, 12.4 percent on Far Eastern routes, 14.6 percent on European routes and 10.2 percent on trans-Atlantic services in the week that started March 17, which includes four days of war.
“Our industry is facing the worst crisis in its history. We are not seeking any relief for any hardships connected with the economic downturn, nor the unresolved September 11 difficulties. However, the figures clearly show how this war is having a dramatic impact,” AEA Secretary General Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus stated.
“It is more important than ever that airlines are not prevented by the ‘use it or lose it’ slot rule from making much-needed capacity adjustments,” he added. The European Union is currently looking at ways to alleviate the industry’s difficulties, and is considering allowing carriers to cut schedules without risking losing airport slots. Other measures mulled are supplying carriers with government aid in a bid to help them meet the added security and insurance costs.
“If the war is having clearly-identifiable effects on costs—security and insurance spring immediately to mind—these should be borne by governments, particularly in light of the $2.8 billion aid package offered to US carriers. These are our competitors. We must have assurances that this government support is clearly linked to war-related losses,” Schulte-Strathaus said. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
