In his conference call yesterday to unveil yet another downgrade in the industry's financial forecast, IATA director general Giovanni Bisignani was unusually mild in this comments about airports.
Usually they get a good "basta" or two, and some good old monopoly bashing.
The stick was wielded less ficiously than before I thought. Although he said "our partners need to bite the bullet" on being more efficient and helping airlines through this difficult time, the response from airports was a "bit disappointing".
IATA has written to 134 airports and 66 air navigation service providers (ANSPs) asking them to help contribute to the troubles airlines are finding themselves in (these providers suffer too of course if traffic falls). This is essentially a plea for price cuts. No harm in asking is there?
The call has largely fell on deaf airport ears. Giovanni also identified Canada's Toronto as one that has actually cut prices - in its case by 25% for cargo aircraft - although many others have frozen their prices.
Labour too got an ear full from Giovanni. It must "come to the table", he said, and that it was "quite incredible we have unions striking and asking for more" in times like this, he said.
Leave a comment