Austrian Airlines/Lauda Air Hit By Europewide Boycott

A coalition of organisations in 13 countries have joined forces to launch a new campaign to stop Austrian Airlines subsidiary Lauda Air flying to Burma.

Burma, ruled by one of the most brutal military dictatorships in the world, is the subject of a tourist boycott following calls by Aung San Su Kyi, leader of Burma’s democracy movement, for tourists to stay away. Tourism is a vital source of income for the regime, and slave labour has been used to build tourist infrastructure.

“Lauda Air might as well be flying in tanks and guns and bullets, as that’s what the regime will buy with the money they get from them”, says Anna Roberts, Co-ordinator of the campaign in the UK.

The campaign is being organised by the Burma Campaign Austria and Burma Center Netherlands, and supported by Burma campaign organisations in the UK, Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, and Ireland. Protests at the offices of Austrian Airlines have already taken place in Austria and the Netherlands. The organisations have also produced a campaign postcard that will be distributed internationally. (Jpeg available)

“Austrian Airlines and Lauda Air are flying in the face of public opinion”, says Anna Roberts. “The tourists and businessmen they deliver to Burma are helping to provide the funds that keep the regime afloat. They have blood on their wings.”

Lauda Air began direct flights to Burma in November 2002. The flights have ceased now as it is off season, but they are expected to resume this November.

For more information contact Anna Roberts, Campaigns Officer, or Mark Farmaner, Media Officer on 020 7281 7377

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