10 September 2009

CathayÃ¢â¬â¢s Tyler slams plane makers

HONG KONG - Cathay Pacific chief Tony Tyler has slammed aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus for charging airlines more for their products despite the economic downturn.

Tyler said aircraft and parts manufacturers continued to hike prices and called for closer alignment between the interests of airlines and suppliers.

"I am always astonished when I hear how much what you sell us costs. Big things, small things, seats, engines, parts of all kinds - how can they be so expensive?" Tyler told his audience at Asian Aerospace Expo.

"The result is that a premium seat and its furniture costs more than a top-quality sports car.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœIf our passengers only knew what some of our costs were, there would be no complaints about the costs of premium fares."

Tyler also criticised the global aircraft giants Boeing and Airbus for their order delivery delays.

"I'd have more sympathy for suppliers if they provided the sort of on-time performance our customers expect from us. But they don't even do that," he said.

Cathay Pacific reported last month that its first-half revenue slumped 27.1 percent year-on-year to 30.92 billion Hong Kong dollars (3.96 billion US) due to weak demand.

Source: Channel News Asia