The government’s South-East Asia Economic Strategy,released on Wednesday,calls on the government to prioritise updating air services agreements and explore establishing reciprocal open skies agreements with South-east Asian nations where it is in the national interest.
The Australian Airports Association said in its submission to the report that particular focus should be given to increasing flights to and from Malaysia,the Philippines,Thailand and Vietnam.
Australia currently has open skies agreements with a handful of countries including the United States,China,India,Singapore,New Zealand and Japan,a status that eliminates government interference in the commercial decisions of air carriers about routes,capacity,and pricing.
Albanese said the report’s recommendation about expanding air links between Australia and South-East Asia was an “important one” while stating that Australia already has “the most open aviation system in the world”.
“Australia has open-skies agreements with a few countries including the United States,” Albanese told reporters in Jakarta.
“We don’t have open-skies agreements with Europe,with most countries,so there are limits on where Australia can go and countries coming to Australia but if you look at our region it is very important.”