Bangkok--12 Mar--Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation
Asian governments to open skies in 2007:
Aviation Outlook report released
The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation predicts aviation liberalisation will regain momentum in 2007, according to its new Aviation Outlook report.
“The only thing preventing economic expansion for millions of people in Asia, especially in regional centres, is the constricting grip of government aviation policy. Past logjams have been caused by government inertia, but, led by India and China, the liberalisation of aviation access in Asia in 2007 is set to regain some of the momentum lost in 2005/06”, said Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation Executive Chairman, Peter Harbison.
The Outlook report highlights the pivotal role of the Singapore-Malaysia bilateral agreement in potentially leading a wave of aviation liberalisation in Asia this year.
“This agreement could be a touchstone for change. It is — paradoxically for two of the otherwise most liberal regimes in the region — almost archaically restrictive in its current form. The expected surge in traffic particularly if the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route is opened up — will attract headlines throughout the region. A fully opened market on that route would quickly treble in size”, said Mr Harbison.
Several important bilateral and multilateral deals should also gain some much-needed movement in the wake of a Malaysia-Singapore shift. The Jan-07 announcement that four ASEAN countries will conclude a multilateral liberalisation agreement is undoubtedly a good sign, as the 2008 deadline for the full ten-country agreement approaches, stated the Outlook report.
“2007 will be an important year for liberalisation of aviation access in Asia. Liberalisation tends to be infectious, and the germs of change are in the air”, concluded Mr Harbison.
These findings from part of the Centre’s 181-page outlook report, available now at www.centreforaviation.com . This year’s report covers the Big Issues facing Asia Pacific aviation in 2007, including LCCs, liberalisation, restructuring, aircraft orders/deliveries, skills, funding, security, the environment and the economy.
The overall themes of ‘Outlook 2007: Dawn of a New Era’ include an impending “full frontal attack” on flag carriers commencing in 2007, and the continued unfolding of the influential LCC story in Asia.
The Centre’s Aviation Outlook report is available for purchase online at www.centreforaviation.com
Note to editors:
About Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation
Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation ( www.centreforaviation.com ) is a specialist information and data services group focused on the aviation industry in the Asia Pacific region. The Centre’s headquarters is in Sydney, Australia, with regional offices in Singapore, New Delhi, Geneva and Manchester and representatives in Auckland, Bangkok, Beijing, Dhaka, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo.
Head Office, Sydney:
Derek Sadubin, Chief Operating Officer
Aurora Place, Level 36, 88 Phillip St Sydney
PO Box N777, Grosvenor Place Sydney, NSW Australia 2000
Tel: +61 2 9241 3200 Fax: +61 2 9241 3400 Email: [email protected]
Southeast Asia Regional Office:
Alice Goh, Regional Director, Southeast Asia
Tel: +65 6227 1608 Fax: +65 6532 5643 Email: [email protected]
Indian Subcontinent and Middle East Office:
Kapil Kaul, CEO Indian Subcontinent & Middle East
Tel: +91-11-3290-1466 Fax: +91 11 2370 9154
Email: [email protected]
UK/Europe Office:
Jeremy Buckle, Regional Director, UK/Europe
Email: [email protected]
David Bentley, UK Associate
Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 1706 881 560 Email: [email protected]
North America Representative
Martti Raito. Email: [email protected]
North Asia Representatives
Korea: Kyung-sup Lee. Email: [email protected]
Japan: Reiko Sonoyama. Email: [email protected]
More information is available on the Centre’s website
www.centreforaviation.com