Eaga countries ink pact to boost airline capability
MEMBER-nations of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga) have forged a new agreement, which is expected to increase the load factor of airlines companies in the growth area.
The agreement was reached during the recently concluded BIMP-Eaga Transport Ministers Meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.
Mindanao Business Council chair Romeo Serra said the granting of full fifth freedom traffic rights in the BIMP-Eaga region is a start to further smoothen air transport linkages in the region.
The agreement includes the designation of two selected Eaga entry points in each member country every year starting this year and subsequently all Eaga points by 2008 with fifth freedom traffic rights for scheduled passenger and cargo services.
Member countries are also urged to encourage the cooperation among BIMP-Eaga airlines by implementing co-terminalization with own stopover right and code sharing arrangement.
In the meantime, efforts are focused on the establishment of scheduled passenger services between Davao City-Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia)-Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei Darussalam) and between Pontianak (Indonesia)-Kuching (Malaysia)-Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei Darussalam).
In the meeting, the Philippines announced its reduction of civil aviation charges by 50 percent for air service operators operating in the BIMP-Eaga sub-region.
It was recommended by the Philippine delegation that all other member countries should formulate their own local incentives to support the development of air transport linkages.
The ministers recognized the importance of public-private partnership for a conducive business environment.
“We are asking the private sector to be pro-active and innovative in the development of transport facilities and services,” Serra said.
Another aspect suggested to be highly developed is the trade and tourism sector, which are believed to support and sustain the transport linkages in the sub region.
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