RIYADH, 19 February 2004 — Airlines that withdrew poultry from the in-flight menu in response to passenger concerns over bird flu have put chicken back on the menu. The poultry is now sourced from non-infected countries or caterers who adhere closely to health and food hygiene guidelines, according to local airline industry sources.
Some airlines which operate from the Gulf countries to bird flu-infected destinations are still reluctant to serve poultry dishes as the death toll from the bird flu in Asia rose to at least 20 amid warnings from UN agencies that the disease would not be under control any time soon.
Saudi Arabia, where per-capita chicken consumption exceeds 32 kg annually, is free of avian flu, and Saudia continues to serve chicken.
Asked about the precautionary measures taken by the foreign airlines, James Evans, country manager of Cathay Pacific Airlines, said: “Cathay Pacific operates two direct flights a week from Riyadh to Hong Kong, and poultry dishes are back on our menu.”
However, the airline has instructed caterers in infected countries to substitute poultry dishes with alternatives such as fish or vegetables.
Thailand, Bangladesh, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Korea, Laos, Pakistan and Taiwan have reported cases of bird flu.
Pakistan International Airlines spokesman Tauseef Ahmed said: “PIA has not withdrawn its chicken dishes from the Saudi-Pakistan sector. There is no instruction to the Riyadh-based office in this regard.”
However, an AFP report from Karachi said that the state-run PIA has stopped serving chicken on board its flights. The airline previously used over two tons of chicken daily for on-board meals.
Air-India also stopped serving chicken on its flights recently. P. Senthil Kumar, Air-India manager responsible for Saudi operations, could not be reached for his comments.
Airline sources say all poultry dishes served on flights from Riyadh are properly prepared and cooked in accordance with strict guidelines. The consumption of well-cooked poultry is safe because even if the virus was present, cooking at a temperature above 70 degrees Celsius kills it.
A spokesman of Sri Lankan airlines said the carrier adhered to food hygiene guidelines. Qatar Airways, which operates several flights to affected countries via Doha, had no comment.
