Senior officials from ASEAN aviation are willing to work towards realising their aspiration to build a comprehensive partnership on the ASEAN Single Aviation Market, which would be a milestone for the ASEAN Economic Community.
The officials also reaffirmed their commitment to driving their vision and dreams one step closer to becoming a reality.
This was revealed yesterday during the 34th ASEAN Air Transport Working Group Meeting and its other related meetings, being held in Vientiane from October 10-14.
The meeting was chaired by the Director General of Civil Aviation Department, Mr. Vanhpheng Chanthaphone.
During yesterday’s meeting, delegates focused on key decisions achieved in the 33rd ATWG held in March in Laos, particularly in completing key economic and technical elements of the ASEAN Single Aviation Market implementation for open skies agreements among ten ASEAN member states and partners.
Besides, officials also followed up the relevant developments and actions from the 28th – 29th ASEAN Summits as well as 41 ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting (STOM), and the status of implementation of the ASEAN air transport-related measures under the (AEC) Blueprint 2015 particularly the high priority measures to be implemented in 2016.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Vanhpheng said the meeting also focused on the key performance indicators to monitor the implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategy Plan, which is targeted for submission to the 42nd STOM for consideration and approval.
Other related issues about the ASEAN Strategic Action Plan for Consumer Protection 2016-2025 including the proposed projects and initiatives which are relevant to ATWG under the said Action Plan were discussed, according to the department.
Moreover, the documentary and procedural requirements for the development of ASEAN common standards and procedures for issuance of schedule flight permission and over flight permission was also briefed.
“Therefore, to build upon those achievements and to ensure successful conclusion during this week’s meeting, I hope to see kind support and cooperation, active participation and contribution in our deliberations so as to ensure the success of this significant meeting,” Mr. Vanhpheng said.
ASEAN Single Aviation Market also known as ASEAN Open Sky Agreement/Policy, is the region’s major aviation policy. It is geared towards the development of a unified and single aviation market among ASEAN members in Southeast Asia projected to begin on January 1, 2016, though all agreements have not been signed.
The aviation policy was proposed by the ASEAN Air Transport Working Group, supported by the ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting, and endorsed by ASEAN Transport Ministers.
The creation of the ASEAN Single Aviation Market was a key component of the road map for the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community.
The ASEAN Single Aviation Market is expected to fully liberalise air travel between member states in the ASEAN region, allowing ASEAN countries and airlines operating in the region to directly benefit from the growth in air travel around the world, and also freeing up tourism, trade, investment, and service flows between member states.
Source: Vientiane Times
