IATA calls For EC directive on airports

Brussels, Apr 7 (UNI) The International Air Transport Association (IATA) appealed to the European Commission (EC) for a directive on robust national economic regulation of Europe's airports.

"An efficient air transport sector is critical for Europe to achieve its Lisbon agenda goal to become the world's most dynamic economy," said IATA's Director General and CEO Giovanni Bisignani in a communication to EC's vice-president Jacques Barrot who is responsible for transport and energy.

For Europe's airlines, said Mr Bisignani, the Lisbon Agenda was do or die. Europe's airlines have achieved nine per cent reduction in aircraft operating costs, 24 per cent reduction in distribution and back office costs besides 14 per cent increase in pilot productivity.

Airports, on the other hand, gave the airlines a 13 per cent increase in per passenger costs with a total bill for airlines and their users of 14.5 billion dollars.

Mr Bisignani said there are several airports that are on track with cost reduction per passenger, including Manchester (minus 38 per cent), Rome (minus 25 per cent) and Birmingham (minus 13 per cent).

"But far too many airports are not delivering the competitiveness that Europe needs. A total of 15 of the 25 most expensive airports in the world are in Europe. And the bad are getting worse." UNI SU SR HS1646