Page 18 - AAA NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2014 Online Magazine
P. 18
FEATURE AAPA
For a Better Tomorrow
AAPA 58th Assembly of Presidents bats for bleeding aviation industry By Jay Menon
THE ASSOCIATION OF ASIA PACIFIC said that Asia-Pacific carriers operate in
Airlines (AAPA) has called for easing a highly competitive environment and are
unjustified taxation, and uncoordinated experiencing pressure on profitability.
patchwork of legislations to help ailing “Still a lot can be done to improve the
airlines in the region. regulatory framework for the industry.
“Governments should remove the Unfortunately, some governments still
burden of unfair taxation, distorted have little regard for the burdens that
regional and national environmental poorly-conceived policies place on the
schemes, obstacles to passenger air transport industry. Unjustified taxes
facilitation and excessively burdensome and regulations negatively impact the
visa regimes that constrain the freedom travelling public by making air travel less
of individual travel,” Andrew Herdman, affordable. Excessive regulation is also a
AAPA Director General said at the AAPA disincentive to innovation by the airlines,”
58th Assembly of Presidents in Tokyo. Herdman said.
Collectively, Asian carriers have seen a Airlines and the travelling public today
dip in yields this year as a result of intense already bear the burden of numerous taxes
Andrew Herdman, AAPA Director market competition and signs of surplus and charges imposed by governments,
General capacity. Airlines are carefully reviewing as well as those by monopolistic service
their fleet and network development providers and other agencies. Despite
plans, while maintaining a tight rein on past exhortations, there has been a
Delegates gathered for costs in a bid to restore profitability and proliferation of taxes in many countries
this year’s conference sustain further investments for the future. on air passengers, several of which
had reasons for optimism In a resolution, taken at the two-day can be categorised as taxes on the sale
for the long term conference, which ended on Nov. 19, AAPA or use of international air transport in
18 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM
