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