Airline companies hard hit by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) outbreak have collectively urged for other stakeholders in the industry to share their losses and for governments to bear part of their burden.

In a press statement yesterday, the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, which represents 17 international airline companies in the region, said other service providers such as airports and air traffic management services should be lowering their charges in view of the downturn in demand.

AAPA director-general Richard Stirland said it is not o­nly "desirable but vital" to the survival of the air transport industry for the financial consequences of the slump to be spread out since airlines are o­nly o­ne element in the infrastructure providing global air transportation.