S'pore, Aussie eyes open skies pact

S'pore, Aussie eyes open skies pact

SINGAPORE: Singapore and Australian aviation officials began
talks here Wednesday on an open-skies pact, aimed at giving their
flag carriers Singapore Airlines and Qantas unrestricted access
between the two countries.

Such an agreement, which would appear to hold more benefits
for Singapore than Australia, is seen as a trade-off for the
Qantas proposal to take a 22.5 percent stake in Air New Zealand,
reducing competition on some regional routes.

"The one-day talks are informal. It is unlikely there will be
any statement at the end of the day," a spokesman for the Civil
Aviation Authority of Singapore told AFP.

It is the second time in two years Singapore and Australia
have explored an open-skies agreement, with the first round of
talks in September 2000 being stalled by disagreements on the
advantages of a pact.

If the open skies agreement goes through, Singapore Airlines
and Qantas will have unrestricted access between the two
countries and beyond, eliminating restrictions on the number of
flights and prices charged. -- AFP