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Brussels (pte041/01.04.2003/16:20) - The European air travel industry is suffering as a direct result of the war in Iraq, compounded with the lasting effects of the September 11 attacks and the weak economy.
In the first week of the war in Iraq, air travel among European airlines sagged 12.4 per cent. Airlines in the Middle East were most affected, losing 42.2 per cent of their business, as reported today by the Association of European Airlines (AEA) http://www.aea.be .
Surprisingly, transatlantic travel dropped by "only" 10.2 per cent, while air travel to the Far East declined by 12.4 per cent. The figures are based on the four days of war between March 17 and 23, compared to the same days in the previous year.
Within Europe, the number of flights fell by 14.6 per cent. The AEA is now demanding help from the European Union. It was announced today that ailing US carrier American Airlines has been rescued from having to file bankruptcy just in time after receiving support from the United States government and agreeing to cut salaries by 1.8bn dollars.
"Our industry is suffering the greatest crisis in its history," said AEA general secretary Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus. His organization has therefore appealed to the EU for support. "The USA are supporting their airlines with 2.8 billion dollars. We have to compete with these airlines and therefore demand to appropriate aid from the EU Commission," said Schulte-Strathaus. Up to now the EU Commission has always refused to provide airlines with direct aid. (newsfox-special Iraq)
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