EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. Issues
The meaning of Open Sky in the ASEAN must be determined. For the purposes of this
Report, it is taken to refer to a situation of extensive liberalisation within the ASEAN region. It concentrates on the international links between members of ASEAN, and is not so concerned with domestic cabotage. The report does not focus on beyond rights, or on 5th freedom operations of non-ASEAN airlines within the region, though it recognises that these can have an impact on Open Sky arrangements.
The rationale for Open Sky is taken to be to promote competition in the airline industry, and to give all airlines from ASEAN the scope to compete on intra ASEAN routes. Open Sky will also give airlines extra flexibility over their route development.
Issues which need to be considered include: How well Open Sky will work in ASEAN? Will markets be competitive enough? Will there be shifts in hub location? Will anti competitive strategies affect operation? And will there be instability in the industry?
2. Experience of Open Skies Elsewhere
There are many Open Skies bilateral agreements, and a few regional agreements. Few regional Open Skies agreements have led to substantial liberalisation or integration. The exception is Europe - Open Skies in Europe has meant the formation of a single aviation market. Significantly, this arrangement did not come about as a result of countries negotiating an open skies agreement - rather it was imposed on them by a central authority, as a consequence of the Treaty they signed when joining the Community. Open Skies have worked well overall in Europe. There has not been excessive instability, there has been a moderate degree of restructuring, and there has been significantly more competition, especially from the low cost carriers which now have an important share of the market.
3. Policy Background
Within