“TIME TO BEGIN RECOVERY” SAYS IATA’S PIERRE JEANNIOT

“I am very confident that our industry will weather the storm. It will emerge, bruised but reformed and very much strengthened. But all the actors – governments, infrastructure providers and airlines, need to share the same vision,” said IATA Director General & CEO Pierre J. Jeanniot, speaking at the Hong Kong International Aerospace Forum.

Jeanniot told delegates of potential industry losses of USD 7 billion on international scheduled services in 2001, up from the estimate of USD 2.5 billion before the September terrorist attacks, and of 120,000 job losses amongst airlines in the subsequent three weeks. But he also looked forward to a recovery in 2002, pointing out that flying was still the safest form of mass transport.

The Director General said that, in addition to more intense application of conventional airport security screening, defence against potential terrorism should consist of two elements: better government intelligence and a worldwide application of biometrics.

“IATA has been advocating biometrics for the past two years. People involved in using the air transport product, particularly frequent flyers, or delivering the air transport product - employees of airlines and airports, etc. - would have been subjected to an iris scan, and their details stored on a data-base. Once they have been positively vetted as a non-security threat, they should then be allowed to go about their lawful business, with no further checking. Resources can then be redirected to thoroughly checking those who have not been positively cleared, and could potentially represent a risk.”

During his visit to China, Pierre Jeanniot also signed an agreement with the Civil Aviation University of China and Northern Jiaotong University, under which the IATA Aviation MBA qualification will become available in China. “China’s aviation industry faces the enviable challenge of needing to grow and lead the way into a future which now has China as a member of the World Trade Organisation. Well qualified aviation professionals are going to be in keen demand.”