AIR TRANSPORT MUST IMPROVE ITS SERVICE QUALITY

VATICAN CITY, MAY 25, 2000 (VIS) - This morning, Msgr. Piero Monni, Holy See Permanent Observer to the World Tourism Organization, spoke at the 36th Meeting of the Regional Commission for Europe and at a seminar on "Tourism and Air Transport." The event is being held in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, between May 24 and 26.

With reference to air transport, Msgr. Monni expressed the hope that it improve the quality of its services in terms of "punctuality, openness and greater commercialization, so that this form of transport may also become accessible to less privileged classes. Furthermore, such commercialization must take place in a free market, ensuring that the skies are not dominated by the lobbies of the large airline companies. Indeed, it is these lobbies that must maintain moral values, guaranteeing safeguards and respect for travellers. It is vital that this respect range from technical maintenance of aircraft to the normal flight precautions, and so put ever greater limits on human error."

The aviation sector, affirmed Msgr. Monni, must give due attention to the religious factor, thus meeting the expectations of people who prepare themselves to face long-haul journeys. In this way, travellers' concern to be able to exercise their own religious liberty is confirmed."

"The continuous movement of masses of tourists and the Jubilee, which is currently underway, clearly underline the central role offered by religious services at airports, a true crossroads of modern pilgrimage, present in all religions."

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