A European solution is no solution at all. Unilateral regional efforts will only distract from this process, |
Airline ownership restrictions became national rights. Now the flags on our aircraft are so heavy they are sinking the industry. |
Airlines moved fast after Sept. 11, re-engineering, restructuring. But governments have not played a role, |
Airlines will spend $34 billion more for fuel this year than last, and about $1.4 billion of that will make its way to the bottom line. That will drive losses to $7.4 billion for 2005. |
Airports are important industry partners for airlines, |
Airports take their own commercial decisions on their ownership structure. But this must not be at the expense of exploiting airlines through higher charges. |
As the record aircraft orders of last year are delivered, matching capacity to demand will become even more critical. And Avian Flu is the wild card for 2006. |
As we battle the high price of fuel, cost efficiency will continue to be a top priority not only for airlines but for every partner in the value chain including airports and air navigation service providers. |
Cost reduction remains critical. All industry partners and stakeholders will have to sustain their focus on fuel efficiency and attack costs. While we have made some good progress, the road ahead is long. Far too many airport monopolies do not understand the need for efficiency and too many governments are shirking their responsibility to regulate where commercial discipline is absent. |
Each dollar added to the price of a barrel of oil adds $1 billion in costs to the industry. |
Efficiency and cost reduction are a matter of survival for airlines. Charles de Gaulle Airport is already the second most expensive airport in Europe. It should be focusing on cost decreases not increases. This short-sighted decision will have long-term effects on the competitive position of Paris as a major hub. |
Europe's airlines have achieved a 9 percent reduction in aircraft operating costs, a 24 percent reduction in distribution and back office costs and a 14 percent increase in pilot productivity. Airports, on the other hand, gave the airlines a 13 percent increase in per-passenger costs, with a total bill for airlines and their users of $14.5 billion. |
February, traditionally the slowest month for international traffic, brought both good news and solid growth. |
February, traditionally the slowest month for international traffic, brought both good news and solid growth. The recovery in freight has stretched to three months with growth of over 5 percent resulting from strength in international trade. |
Freight and passenger traffic are forecast to grow in the 5 to 6 per cent range during the year but the industry is projected to record another loss of over US$4 billion for 2006. |