IATA Issues Confusing Istanbul Resolution
I know, I know. The news of the day is United's massive cuts, but I'm going to need to digest this more before writing about it. You can expect a post from me tomorrow discussing it in detail. -----------------------
I like a lot of what I hear out of IATA these days, but I have to admit, this one has me quite confused. This week, the group issued its Istanbul Resolution at the World Air Transport Summit in, uh, Istanbul. So what did it say? Well, there were six key points:
- Governments must eliminate archaic rules that prevent airlines from restructuring across borders.
- In view of existing fees and charges, governments must refrain from imposing multiple and additional punitive taxes and other measures that will only deepen the crisis.
- State service providers must invest to modernise air transport infrastructure urgently, eliminating wasteful fuel consumption and emissions.
- Business partners, in particular monopoly service providers, must become as efficient as airlines are now. If not, regulators must restrain their appetite with tougher regulation.
- Labour unions must refrain from making irresponsible claims and join the effort to secure jobs in aviation and indeed in other industries.
- In the interest of the global economy and the flying public, we urge authorities to enforce the integrity of markets so that the cost of energy reflects its true value.
But points 5 and 6 have to be my favorites. I mean, come on. You're going to wag your finger and tell labor unions that they should lighten up? Even more unlikely to have an impact, you think governments should step in and fix energy prices?!? Might as well just wish for world peace.
But hey, I've got to give them credit for dreaming big. Take a look at the full speech from Giovanni Bisignani, IATA director general and CEO..