Asean 'open skies' to boost region's air transport

A single aviation market for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), also known as the Asean Open Skies project which will be implemented alongside the Asean integrated economy in 2015, will boost the region's air transport industry and eventually enhance each country's tourism sector, a US-based think tank said.

According to IHS Economics, the Asean Open Skies agreement will be a major catalyst for long-term growth in the Southeast Asian commercial aviation and tourism industries with the potential to contribute significantly to economic growth among Asean nations over the next 10 years.