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News 31/05/2007   

Aviation upbeat – but challenges remain
Steve Jones
 


The aviation industry is continuing to show stability with airlines going into the black after six years of masses losses, the International Air Transport Association has said.

Painting an upbeat picture of the worldwide industry, IATA director general and chief executive Giovanni Bisignani said there is “lots of good news” for aviation.

Releasing April traffic figures, which showed Asia Pacific up 6.2 per cent, Bisinani said: “Airlines are emerging into profitability after six years and US$42 billion in losses. Air transport is safer than ever. Simplifying the business is delivering real results.

“Liberalised agreements between the US and Europe and US and China are opening up important markets and new aircraft on the horizon will create new fuel-efficient opportunities for both hub and point-to-point traffic. There is lots of good news for the industry.”

But there are challenges, he warned, with climate change, the continued drive for cost savings and a government need to adapt to a changing industry, all critical issues that need tackling.



31 May 2007


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