The world benefits from travel, but governments must do more - IATA

BTN News
Sunday, 05 March 2017

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged governments to support the role aviation plays in connecting people and commerce around the globe. 

"Our world has grown much wealthier through trade and travel. Air travel liberates people to live better lives and makes our world a better place," said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and ceo. 

"In the US, the aviation sector contributes US$680.1 billion dollars to GDP and supports 6.2 million jobs. Aviation is the business of freedom and we must continue to work together to make it so," said de Juniac.

Looking to the agenda for the Trump Administration, he called for a reduction in the tax burden on aviation and air travellers, and a new approach to the provision of air traffic services.

On taxes, he said: "The tax burden needs to be reduced. Airlines for America estimates that taxes account for more than a fifth of the cost of the average domestic ticket. In a country as big, beautiful and full of opportunity as the US, why have a taxation policy that discourages travel? Travel stimulates the economy with tourism dollars and business development. We hope that the Trump Administration will create jobs by dramatically reducing the tax burden on travel."

And on US air traffic services: "Airlines and their passengers suffer the impact of the unpredictable federal budget process on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) provision of air traffic services. The US is falling behind in the introduction of new and more efficient technology. Now is the time to move forward with innovation in the provision of air traffic services. 

"IATA supports the creation of an independent, corporatised non-profit entity to manage US skies. IATA hopes that this will be one of the achievements of the Trump administration."

De Juniac also urged the Trump administration to return the country to the principles of airline deregulation.

"The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 unleashed competition and spurred innovation by letting market forces drive commercial decisions. And today consumers benefit from more travel choices than ever. Deregulation has benefited travellers, the US economy and the competitiveness of its airlines. I hope that the Trump Administration will keep that in focus," he said.

The world benefits from travel, but governments must do more - IATA

BTN News
Sunday, 05 March 2017

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged governments to support the role aviation plays in connecting people and commerce around the globe. 

"Our world has grown much wealthier through trade and travel. Air travel liberates people to live better lives and makes our world a better place," said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and ceo. 

"In the US, the aviation sector contributes US$680.1 billion dollars to GDP and supports 6.2 million jobs. Aviation is the business of freedom and we must continue to work together to make it so," said de Juniac.

Looking to the agenda for the Trump Administration, he called for a reduction in the tax burden on aviation and air travellers, and a new approach to the provision of air traffic services.

On taxes, he said: "The tax burden needs to be reduced. Airlines for America estimates that taxes account for more than a fifth of the cost of the average domestic ticket. In a country as big, beautiful and full of opportunity as the US, why have a taxation policy that discourages travel? Travel stimulates the economy with tourism dollars and business development. We hope that the Trump Administration will create jobs by dramatically reducing the tax burden on travel."

And on US air traffic services: "Airlines and their passengers suffer the impact of the unpredictable federal budget process on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) provision of air traffic services. The US is falling behind in the introduction of new and more efficient technology. Now is the time to move forward with innovation in the provision of air traffic services. 

"IATA supports the creation of an independent, corporatised non-profit entity to manage US skies. IATA hopes that this will be one of the achievements of the Trump administration."

De Juniac also urged the Trump administration to return the country to the principles of airline deregulation.

"The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 unleashed competition and spurred innovation by letting market forces drive commercial decisions. And today consumers benefit from more travel choices than ever. Deregulation has benefited travellers, the US economy and the competitiveness of its airlines. I hope that the Trump Administration will keep that in focus," he said.