Singapore, neighbors ink pact

Singapore, neighbors ink pact

Singapore, Thailand and Brunei on Monday signed an air services agreement that will allow airlines from the three Southeast Asian countries to operate unlimited number of services on any routes between the three neighbours.

The multilateral agreement, signed in Bangkok, is part of the goal to have full air services liberalisation between the capitals of the 10-member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to a copy of the statement received here.

"Airlines of the three signatory countries will have the flexibility to operate any number of direct, to-and-fro passenger services on any route between Brunei, Singapore and Thailand," the statement said.

The three countries already have a similar pact, signed in February, for unlimited air cargo services with Cambodia joining in three months later.

Singapore Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong hailed the agreement as a huge step forward for ASEAN's goals in achieving full air services liberalisation by December 2008. --AFP