20000305

FPCCI concerned

over KLM decision

to stop flights

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Fazal-ur-Rehman Dittu, President, has expressed concern over the decision of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to stop flights to Pakistan.

In a press statement, he said that the exporters were shocked as KLM was saying good-bye without even giving any proper information to the public.

KLM, the only airline offering direct non-stop flights from Karachi to Europe, will thus follow Lufthansa, which eliminated Karachi from their network last year, and Air France, which had stopped coming to Karachi earlier.

If Swissair follows, which insiders fear, no European or the US passenger planes will be seen at Karachi Airport and it will be rated internationally in future as a second class international airport. The business community is shocked, as KLM flights were regularly fully booked and should be one of the most profitable destinations, he said.

Dittu said that the actual reasons for this development were homemade. The operation cost in Karachi were extremely high as compared to other international airports, especially fuel cost and landing fees.

Besides this, there were, according to the Western airlines, delays in the transfer of money by the foreign airlines. The government will be well advised to look into this matter, which also seriously affects the income of the airport and thus will reduce jobs not only in the export sector but also for the employers depending on the airport.

All endeavours to promote tourism could prove a waste of money, when the basic condition to reach Pakistan comfortably is not fulfilled, he added.