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Richardson pushes benefits of open skies agreements
by The Daily Herald
Posted: Nov 3, 2009 15:00 UTC
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AIRPORT - Commissioner in charge of Aviation Affairs Frans Richardson on Sunday said he is looking forward to the day when bilateral agreements can be signed, facilitating open sky policies that would benefit St. Maarten.
The Commissioner, speaking at the inaugural celebration marking WestJet’s service to St. Maarten, said, “We need to implement changes in our aviation sector to make us even more competitive and more sustainable.”
Open skies policies, he contended, will be a start to opening up and liberalizing the air travel market, giving rise to the abolition of monopolies, greater competition and potentially lower fares.
“Key provisions of most of the existing civil agreements include: No restrictions on international route rights, number of designated airlines, capacity, frequencies and types of aircraft,” Richardson said.
“It also provides for fair and equal opportunity to compete. All carriers, designated and non-designated, of countries may establish sales offices in the other country, convert earnings and remit them in hard currency promptly and without restrictions.
“Designated carriers are free to provide their own ground-handling services or choose among competing providers. It also provides for liberal charter arrangements. Carriers may choose to operate under the charter regulations of either country,” Richardson said.
He concluded by stating that he is optimistic about our strategic location with convenient airlift from most major U.S. markets, and now from Toronto, Canada. “One day I hope to sign open skies agreements, especially with St. Maarten closing in on country status.”
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