Air transport industry targeted as "cash cow"
Governments must change their policies on air travel if the aviation industry is to recover, according to carriers in Asia Pacific.
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) called for less taxes from governments and less interference on environment and air traffic management.
At the Assembly of Presidents meeting, the heads of the 17 member airlines, which include Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines, resolved to challenge governments to provide more freedom for airlines.
The AAPA said that many governments view the air transport industry "as a cash cow and convenient revenue collection mechanism".
Andrew Herdman, AAPA's director general, said: "AAPA carriers are still enduring the severe impact of the global recession, yet the straightjacket of restrictive government policies and inefficiency remains a clear obstacle.
"In order for the industry to achieve long term sustainability and growth, it is now time for governments to wake up to the idea of removing policies that have inhibited development for decades.
"Restrictive policies and unfair taxation are without doubt undermining recovery."
The AAPA said that new waves of taxation are "often deceptively disguised as green initiatives".
The airline association called for a global approach to aviation and the environment, "instead of a patchwork of uncoordinated schemes and arbitrary levies".
"The aviation industry is united in its commitment to ambitious environmental targets, but is being held back by the failure of governments to resolve major differences between the views of developed and developing nations," said AAPA.
Mr Herdman said: "The Asia Pacific region is home to two-thirds of the world's population, and includes diverse economies representing both developed and developing nations.
"Any political solution on climate change must address the aspirations of developing nations and principles of equity."
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