|
Four ASEAN Nations to Liberalise Air Links
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6, 2006 (AFP) - Four Southeast
Asian nations will sign a pact which would allow unlimited flight
frequencies and schedules between 13 of their cities, Malaysian
transport minister Chan Kong Choy said on Wednesday. Brunei,
Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines will sign an agreement to
further liberalise air links at next week's 10-member Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Cebu Island, Chan said
according to state Bernama news agency. "It is a very liberal
arrangement. It marks a milestone development towards aviation
liberation within ASEAN countries," he said. He said the initiative
involving the four countries in the East Asean Growth Area (EAGA)
was to facilitate cross-border movement of people, tourists and
goods in the sub-region. The 13 cities which would see their air
links liberalised are Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei, Balikpapan,
Manado, Pontianak and Tarakan in Indonesia, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching,
Labuan and Miri in East Malaysia. In the Phillippines, Davao City,
General Santos, Puerto Princesa and Zamboanga would be involved,
under the arrangement. Chan said only designated airlines endorsed
by the respective governemnts could participate in the arrangement.
He said national carrier Malaysia Airlines and budget airlines, Air
Asia would be the two designated airlines for Malaysia. ivy/lh
|