Free air access between Asean capitals from 2008
From next December, travellers will have a wide choice of flights--from budget ones to established carriers--if they want to fly to Kuala Lumpur or any other Asean capital. They can also expect lower fares.
The good news comes after Asean transport ministers decided on Thursday to remove all restrictions on air access between capital cities by December next year.
The decision--which also applies to cargo services--is significant, said industry watchers Thursday.
Although the December 2008 date had been set four years ago, there was no certainty that all members of the 10-nation grouping would agree to free up air travel by then, they said.
Anthony Concil, a spokesman for the International Air Transport Association, a 240-member airline grouping, told The Straits Times: "Clearly, this is a big and concrete step in the right direction...What we are seeing is that Asean has picked up the ball and is moving forward.", the grouping went a step further, affirming its commitment to freer skies by saying it was working towards full liberalisation by 2015.
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