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