Fuel costs top issue for Asia Pacific airlines: survey

Singapore, May 15 (UNI) Fuel cost is the top issue on minds of Asia Pacific airlines, according to results of a survey conducted recently among executives by Sabre Airline Solutions, the global leader of software and services for the airline industry.

While concerns about the environment are growing significantly in international markets, fuel costs dominate all other issues impacting the airline industry. By wide margins, the 197 leaders of the airlines who participated in the survey viewed fuel costs as their top challenge and the most significant impediment to profitability.

Government regulations and customer loyalty round out the top three issues impacting the airline industry. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the industry spent 112 billion US dollars on fuel which was 26 per cent of airlines' operating expenses in 2006, up from 44 billion dollars or 14 per cent in 2003.

Sabre conducted the online survey between March 13 and March 23, polling some 197 airline executives from 101 different airline companies.

''While most airline-related surveys reflect the opinion of passengers on airline service, our survey polled the world's top airlines on the issues that are directly affecting them, their operations and roadblocks to their successes,'' said Gordon Locke, vice president, Sabre Airline Solutions and Distribution Marketing.

Sabre is the world's largest provider of technology products to reduce airlines' costs, increase revenue and optimise customer experience. More than 250 airlines use its broad portfolio of 112 decision-support tools to increase revenues and improve operations.

Over 100 airlines rely on Sabre for passenger management solutions while a similar number have turned to the company's consulting group for strategic, commercial and operational advice.

UNI