Pierre J. Jeanniot, Director General & CEO of the International Air Transport Association (
Pierre J. Jeanniot, Director General & CEO of the International Air Transport Association (
Narita`s long-awaited second runway will add much needed additional capacity in one of the world`s largest and most important travel markets. And so, today marks the start of a new era in the development of Narita that will bring considerable economic benefit to both businesses and consumers, he said.
Additional capacity will bring reduced unit costs and additional traffic. Additional traffic will bring additional revenue, added Jeanniot. At least part of these benefits should be passed on to the airlines by the NAA, in the form of reduced user charges, added the Director General.
The new era of air transport is marked by great challenges. Today the industry is struggling for survival. Since September 11, over 200,000 airline employees have lost their jobs. The airline industry lost USD 12 billion on international operations last year alone.
All players in the industry have worked extremely hard to reduce costs at this critical time. Over the past 18 years Narita has not been successful in achieving any cost savings, but now has a golden opportunity to do so. Therefore, IATA encourages the NAA at this critical time in the industry`s history, to contribute meaningfully to the industry`s recovery and future stability, concluded Jeanniot.
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