0
Sydney, Mar 15: The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) has predicted that aviation liberalisation will regain momentum in 2007.
''The only thing preventing economic expansion for millions of people in Asia, especially in regional centres, is the constricting grip of government aviation policy,'' said its executive chairman Peter Harbison.
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, he said in a new outlook report.
The report highlights 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 will 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 January, 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.
''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,'' said Mr Harbison.
The findings are part of the CAPA's 181-page outlook report.
This year's report covers big issues facing Asia Pacific aviation including low cost carriers, 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 low cost carriers' story in Asia.
UNI
''The only thing preventing economic expansion for millions of people in Asia, especially in regional centres, is the constricting grip of government aviation policy,'' said its executive chairman Peter Harbison.
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, he said in a new outlook report.
The report highlights 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 will 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 January, 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.
''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,'' said Mr Harbison.
The findings are part of the CAPA's 181-page outlook report.
This year's report covers big issues facing Asia Pacific aviation including low cost carriers, 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 low cost carriers' story in Asia.
UNI
Oneindia Login