Representatives of ASEAN member states pose for a group photo at the 35th ASEAN Air
Transport Working Group (ATWG) meeting in Vientiane on Mar 6

(KPL) Member states of ASEAN have made a commitment to enhance cooperation on air transport services.

The commitment was made at the 35^th ASEAN Air Transport Working Group (ATWG) meeting and related meetings held from Mar 6-10, 2017 in Vientiane Capital.

Last year ASEAN officials met in Vientiane to make their best efforts to build up the comprehensive ASEAN Single Aviation Market (ASAM), which is one of the key milestones in building of the ASEAN Economic Community.

“We all gather here again to continuously contribute to the realization of our vision and targets that have been set up,” said Chair of the ASEAN Air Transport Working Group Vanhpheng Chanthaphone.

“As you know, during this meeting, we are keeping the focus on key decisions reached at the previous ATWG meeting held here last October, particularly in completing key ASAM economic and technical elements to implement the open skies policy with more liberal and mutually beneficial Air Transport Agreements, including Third, Fourth and Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights among ASEAN member states and with dialogue partners and their instruments for ratification,” said Mr Vanhpheng.

They also followed up the relevant developments and actions from the 42^nd ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting and the 22^nd ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting held in the Philippines in November of last year.

The conclusion of the tenth package of commitments on air transport services under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) and documentary and procedural requirements for the development of ASEAN common standards and procedures for issuance of Scheduled Flight Permission and Over Flight Permission were also discussed and finalized during the meeting.

KPL