Up to governments to advise safe routes - Iata

Geneva - Airlines rely on governments to tell them which routes are safe and do not compromise on safety, the head of the International Air Transport Association (Iata) said on Friday after a Malaysian airliner was shot down over Ukraine.

"At this time, it is important we are very clear: safety is the top priority," Iata CEO Tony Tyler said in a statement.

"No airline will risk the safety of their passengers, crew and aircraft for the sake of fuel savings. Airlines depend on governments and air traffic control authorities to advise which air space is available for flight, and they plan within those limits," he said.