APEC ENDORSES ‘OPEN SKIES’
The nations of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum have endorsed
an agreement for developing an open market for air services.
So-called ‘open skies’ will be phased in with an eight step
process. Priority will be given to four areas, including the removal of barriers to air
freight airlines and the elimination of restrictions on air-related services, such as
ground handling. APEC members include Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Japan,
Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea,
Taiwan, Thailand, and the U.S.