India, ASEAN announce framework for 'Open Skies' pact

07 November 2008

India and member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have announced a framework for aviation cooperation in an `Open Skies' regime.

ASEAN and India have agreed to pursue cooperation in an `Open Skies' policy and work towards concluding an agreement based on the 'Open Skies' principles, covering both airfreight and passenger services.

The announcement was made at the 14th ASEAN transport ministers' meeting held at Manila, the Philippines on 6 November.

ASEAN and India will meet in the first half of 2009 for consultations to negotiate the `ASEAN-India Air Services Agreement', during the nineteenth ASEAN air transport working group meeting in the first half of 2009.

The ASEAN-India Air Services Agreement may include: multiple airline designation; open route schedule; full exercise of third, fourth and fifth freedom traffic rights; frequencies, capacities and aircraft types; change of gauge; and    inter-modal transport arrangement.

The agreement would also include co-operative arrangements between or among airlines, including the utilisation of resources and business management, and airline cooperation in the form of interlining, block-space, code-sharing among ASEAN and Indian airlines.