Singapore Airlines steps up trans-Pacific push
Posted 18/03/2010
SYDNEY - According to a report in the <i>Sydney Morning Herald</i>, SQ will use Jetstar's aggressive move into Singapore to back its long-standing claim for access to the route. Direct services are currently limited to QF, VA UA and DL
JQ used rarely applied seventh-freedom rights to set up its SIN base and fly to other Asian destinations.
SQ regional vice-president, Subhas Menon, said the carrier wanted Austraia's Rudd government to replicate Singapore's stance on air rights and ''fulfil its obligations to the Singaporean carrier''.
''It's just a matter of principle. I don't think the Australian Government can say that Singapore has not provided Australian carriers maximum access,'' Menon said.
''We hope that it will not be too long into the future before Singapore would be allowed to fly under fifth freedom rights out of Australia and the US.''
Last December’s aviation white paper repeats that Australian federal government wants to allow Virgin Blue's fledging long-haul offshoot, V Australia, to establish itself before allowing foreign airlines to fly the route.
SQ has previously urged the Australian government to reveal a time-frame for access to the trans-Pacific, saying that the white paper merely articulated what has been said previously.
by Philip Thorniley
Originally published 21 Mar 2010 at: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/398/f/5923/s/98d5609/l/0L0Stravelmole0N0Cstories0C11413940Bphp0Dmpnlog0F1/story01.htm
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