ASEAN-India Air Services Agreement

New Delhi, Nov 7 (UNI) The 14th ASEAN transport ministers' meeting in Makati, the Philippines, has upheld the proposed open skies agreement and India's keen interests to join the ASEAN member states in an open skies regime.

The meeting, held yesterday, also looked forward to the implementation of ASEAN's own liberalisation of their air services within the region, an official release said here today.

ASEAN and India have agreed to work towards concluding the agreement based on the 'open skies' principles, covering both airfreight and passenger services.

The agreement-- ASEAN-India Air Services Agreement-- will be signed during the 19th ASEAN air transport working group meeting in the first half of next year.

In line with the ASEAN multilateral air services agreements, the agreement will include multiple airline designation, open route schedule, full exercise of third, fourth and fifth freedom traffic rights, and inter-modal transport arrangement.

The parties will promote, among other things, co-operative arrangements between or among airlines, including the use of resources and business management.

UNI YJ SG KN1835