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Published: Tuesday November 17, 2009 MYT 3:10:00 PM

M'sia and others sign policy principles on bilateral air services pacts


KUALA LUMPUR: Seven countries as well as the European Commission (EC) have signed a multilateral statement of policy principles regarding the implementation of bilateral air service agreements.

The signatories were Chile, Malaysia, Panama, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and the EC, said the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

In total, these countries represent some 60 per cent of global aviation, the association said in a statement released here on Tuesday.

IATA director-general and chief executive officer Giovanni Bisignani said the signing was "an historic achievement that will help set the foundation for a financially sustainable global aviation industry".

"Today's signing is the begining of a process of change. Our shared task now is to bring even more countries on board," he said.

Bisignani said the policy principles addressed the main areas such as freedom to access capital markets, freedom to do business and freedom to price services.

"While these policy principles are non-binding, they are an important statement of common government intention among the most active countries driving global aviation policy," he said.

The document noted specifically that the signatories recognised the importance of promoting compatible regulatory approaches and reducing the potential for conflicts, IATA said.

It added that the intention to use the policy principles to guide implementation of existing air service agreements and approach to the negotiation of new or amended air services agreements in the future. - Bernama

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