European airlines appeal for help

European airlines today appealed for governments to help loss-burdened carriers survive the Iraq crisis, which the industry blamed for compounding the ”worst crisis in its history.”

The Association of European Airlines said its 30 member airlines reported a 12.3% drop in international passengers from March 17 to March 23, the week when the Iraq war began.

It said the war was compounding losses from the prevailing economic downturn and the impact of the September 11 2001, terror attacks on the United States.

“Our industry is facing the worst crisis in its history,” said Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus, secretary general of the Association of European Airlines.

Schulte-Strathaus, speaking in Brussels, appealed for European governments specifically to help cover the cost of extra security measures and higher insurance premiums.

The AEA estimates the Iraq war could add €2.5bn to its members’ losses.