Global union questions safety of Burma aviation

23 October 2007

Global union federation the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) today questioned the safety of aviation in Burma when it wrote to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) asking it to investigate the reported withdrawal of insurance and effective grounding of Burmese national airline Myanmar Airways International – and also look into the rumours of suspected safety shortcomings at the nation’s airports. The ITF will also warn the aviation authorities of neighbouring countries of what it describes as the dangers of flying to Burma.

Ingo Marowsky, Secretary of the ITF’s Civil Aviation Section, explained: “It is not a secret that we find the Burmese junta’s recent treatment of its citizens abhorrent. What has been less publicised is how effectively – or not – that government in managing the country’s infrastructure.”

He continued: “As well as expressing our concern over the national carrier we are particularly asking ICAO to look very carefully into whether Burma currently fulfills the requirements under its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme.”

ENDS

For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260.
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk

International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:
HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org

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