KARACHI, April 25: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) gathered the world’s airlines with the WHO in Bangkok on Wednesday last to refine battle plans in the war on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

“The impact of SARS on the global air transport has been devastating,” said Kevin Dobby, IATA’s Corporate Secretary who heads the association’s SARS Task Force.

“The Industry is completely engaged with the WHO and will do whatever is necessary to fight the spread of SARS. This is our number one priority,” says a statement issued on Friday.

The WHO reassured the industry that the screening procedures for passengers being implemented at airports are effective.—APP