India, EU and others make it to IATA’s 'Wall of Shame'

07 Jun 2011

Singapore: India earned a dubious distinction on Monday when it was put on the 'Wall of Shame' by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for imposing high service tax on air tickets even as the aviation sector was growing at a high pace. The international airlines body warned the country not to kill the "goose that lays golden eggs".

Asserting that aviation-fuelled global trade stimulated economies and restored government budgets, IATA's director general and CEO, Giovanni Bisignani, said "don't kill the goose that lays golden eggs... Tax the bankers who created the mess."

Others who made it to the Wall of Shame include the European Union parliament and the governments of the UK, Germany and Austria. IATA slammed them for imposing high taxes on air travel.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) held its 67th annual general meeting in Singapore.