Singapore signs open skies pacts with Romania and Zambia

Tuesday, 2 December 2008

Agreements allow passenger and cargo airlines to operate unlimited flights on any aircraft type

Singapore has concluded two separate Open Skies Agreements (OSAs) with Romania and Zambia to allow full flexibility on air services.

2 The OSA between Singapore and Romania allows Singapore carriers to operate any number of passenger and cargo flights between Singapore and points in Romania, as well as beyond Romania to any other city in the world. Likewise, Romania carriers may operate any number of flights to and beyond Singapore. With this, Singapore has sealed OSAs with 16 countries in the European Union.

3 The Singapore-Zambia OSA similarly allows both passenger and cargo carriers of Singapore and Zambia to operate any number of flights between and beyond both countries to any other city worldwide. This is Singapore’s first OSA with an African country.

4 Both open skies pacts were inked during the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air Services Negotiation Conference held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 24-27 November 2008. The inaugural event was part of ICAO’s effort to implement a “one-stop shop” platform to improve the efficiency of the bilateral negotiation process through a central meeting place where countries can conduct several bilateral air services consultations with one another.

5 "ICAO’s efforts have provided a convenient platform to facilitate countries like Singapore in pursuing for the liberalisation of air services.”, said Mr Lim Kim Choon, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. He added that, “Such agreements would provide carriers of the respective countries with the full flexibility to respond quickly to market opportunities, as and when they arise. The successful conclusion of the two agreements is also a clear reflection of the warm bilateral ties that Singapore enjoys with Zambia and Romania, as well as our respective countries’ firm commitment to promote liberalisation in the aviation industry.”

6 With these two agreements, Singapore has concluded OSAs with more than 30 countries.

7 To date, Changi Airport is served by 82 scheduled airlines operating more than 4,470 weekly scheduled flights to 189 cities in 60 countries.