20 May 2003KUALA LUMPUR - The director general of the Association
Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has welcomed the outcome of
the meeting held by ASEAN + 3 airport authorities on May 15
to 16.
In a statement issued today, Richard Stirland said the
grouping of 13 Asian nations' airports had hit the right
note.
"The meeting was exactly what was needed for a concerted
effort to establish a common set of effective and practical
measures to prevent passengers showing SARS like symptoms
from either boarding an aircraft or leaving an airport on
arrival in another country, " said Stirland.
The ASEAN + 3 authorities issued a Joint Resolution
noting that the aviation industry is one of the sectors
most affected by SARS, and that it can and must play a
significant role in controlling its spread.
The authorities agreed to adopt health declaration cards
for all departing and arriving passengers and for
temperature screening at both ends of any route which
touches SARS affected areas.
The ASEAN + 3 authorities jointly resolved that all
passengers suspected of having SARS should not be denied
entry into the country of arrival, but rather should be
provided with appropriate medical treatment in that
country.
"I am pleased to say that the Commercial Director of the
Association attended the meeting of the ASEAN + 3
authorities as an observer, and his presence was a pledge
that the AAPA member airlines are ready to work in close
collaboration with the airports and the health authorities
to overcome this crisis," said Stirland.
"The ASEAN + 3 Resolution precisely meets the appeals we
made a month ago."