United Kingdom forward programme for possible bilateral air services talks

The UK Department for Transport publishes a list of possible negotiations and when dates are scheduled gives these too. The 1 November 2007 update indicates that this month the UK was looking to hold talks with Jamaica, Thailand and Mauritius.

The Philippines and New Zealand sign new air services agreement

On 21 November 2007 in Singapore the Philippines and New Zealand signed their first air services agreement. The New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, who together with the President of the Philippines witnessed the signing, has announced UPDATED some of the details of the new arrangements.

News media coverage of the new arrangements has appeared in the Manila Times and Sun Star Manila.

We negotiated the text over two rounds in Wellington and Manila. Just prior to the second round the New Zealand delegation visited Clark, the former USAF base 80km north of Manila.

Revised arrangements to cover Japan-Taiwan air services

An "official" 1 November 2007 report announced that revised air services arrangements have been reached. The revision was completed with an exchange of letters between Taiwan's Association of East Asian Relations and Japan's Interchange Association, the two non-governmental organizations set up by the two countries to handle bilateral affairs in the absence of diplomatic ties. On 2 November 2007 the Taipei Times reported on the new arrangements.

One implication of the new arrangements is that the JAL and ANA subsidiaries that operated services from Japan to Taiwan will be absorbed back into their parent airlines.

Spain and the United Arab Emirates negotiate new ASA

On 25 October 2007 Spain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) initialled a new air services agreement.

Mongolia to join MALIAT on cargo-only basis

Mongolia has deposited an Instrument of Accession, the first stage in joining the "open skies" Multilateral Agreement on the Liberalization of International Air Transportation (MALIAT). Mongolia is seeking to join for cargo air services only, something that is now possible under Article 15 bis of the Agreement.

Caribbean Ministers sign San Juan Air Transport Accord

On 25 October 2007 Aviation Week reported that Caribbean Ministers at a Caribbean Tourism Organization meeting in San Juan have signed an Air Transport Accord that includes a commitment to updating air services arrangements in the region by 30 September 2008.

On 27 October 2007, however, the Bahama Journal reported that in the Bahamas at least the Accord does not have total support.

PIASA enters into force following ratification by Niue

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat web site indicates that the Pacific Islands Air Services Agreement UPDATED (PIASA) entered into force on 13 October 2007 following ratification by a sixth Pacific Islands country, Niue.

The initial parties to the PIASA are the Cook Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu (see also previous posting on 16 May 2007).

Airbus A380 enters service with first flight by SQ to SYD

25 October 2007 finally saw the delayed entry into service of the Airbus A380. The first flight was by Singapore Airlines from Singapore (SIN) to Sydney (SYD). This historic event received considerable media coverage, including in the Australian and the Telegraph.

On 27 October 2007 the Telegraph reported on an aspect of the A380's environmental impact, its emissions.

Notable in the public comments about the aircraft, however, are how relatively quiet it is.

Earlier in the month while about to leave Manila I saw an A380 prototype landing there.

Oberstar addresses the International Aviation Club in Washington DC

On 23 October 2007 Hon. James Oberstar, the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, delivered a speech to the International Aviation Club of Washington DC. Amongst the issues he covered were restrictions on foreign control of US airlines and the European Commission's proposal to include international aviation in its emissions trading scheme.

Australia and the United States to hold "open skies" negotiations

On 29 September 2007 Australia (Hon. Mark Vaile) and the United States of America announced their intention to begin the negotiation of an "open skies" air transportation agreement with the aim of concluding it in early 2008.

A 1 October 2007 Sydney Morning Herald article by Scott Rochfort looks at some of the implications.

Singapore and the UK announce new "open skies" air services agreement

On 3 October 2007 Singapore and the United Kingdom announced that they have concluded a new "open skies" air services agreement to come into effect in March 2008. Notable features include no restrictions on fifth freedom rights (including for Singaporean airlines unrestricted rights to serve the UK-US market), and exchanges of seventh freedom and cabotage rights.

In practical terms, constraints on slots at London Heathrow will be a factor in the extent to which Singapore Airlines will be able to take advantage of the opportunities that will be available.

Japan and United States expand air services arrangements

A 14 September 2007 Financial Times article carried by MSNBC reports on a limited expansion in the air services arrangements between Japan and the United States of America. This is the first amendment to the arrangements since 1998.

Peter Gordon on "Food Miles"

UK-based New Zealand chef Peter Gordon has written a well researched article in the Independent on the "food miles" debate.

The key message is that just because produce may have travelled further one should not assume that the environmental impact of its production and distribution is higher.

Canada and New Zealand negotiate new "Blue Sky" air transport agreement

On 7 September 2007 New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced UPDATED the negotiation of a new "Blue Sky" air transport agreement between New Zealand and Canada following a meeting with her Canadian counterpart. Some further details are given in a media statement by the Canadian Ministers of Transport and International Trade.

We negotiated the new agreement in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Air New Zealand is to commence non-stop flights between Auckland and Vancouver in November 2007.

Dubai Aerospace Enterprises bid for Auckland International Airport Limited hits turbulence

On 31 August 2007 Bloomberg reported that a $5.6 billion bid announced on 23 July 2007 for Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) by Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Limited (DAE) had run into further difficulties. AIAL released a media statement on the latest developments. The NZ Herald reported in depth on 1 September 2007 and the Herald on Sunday of 2 September 2007 carried commentary written by Fran O'Sullivan.

The day the proposed deal was announced the Leader of the New Zealand First Party, Rt Hon Winston Peters (who is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs) made a media release reacting to the proposal. On 8 August 2007 the NZ Herald reported on comments made by the Trade Minister, Phil Goff.

The 22 July 2007 Merger Implementation Agreement between DAE and AIAL has some interesting provisions relating to Tourism Growth and air services, in particular by Emirates, in an attached Co-operation Agreement (see section 4).

India and Malaysia liberalise air services arrangements

On 16 July 2007 the official Government of India Press Information Bureau announced that air services negotiations held between India and Malaysia on 12-13 July 2007 had lead to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding that provides for a major opening up of air routes between the two countries, cargo services, code sharing and multiple designation.

A 19 July 2007 report in the International Herald Tribune provides background.

Australia and South Korea negotiate additional air service opportunities

On 27 August 2007 Australian Minister for Transport, Mark Vaile, announced that Australia has concluded new air services arrangements with South Korea. As well as a passenger capacity increase, all restrictions on the operation of freighter services have been removed and restrictions on the ability of both countries' airlines to access intermediate and beyond point hub markets have been reduced.

Further anti-trust action against British Airways

A 26 August 2007 article in the Sunday Telegraph gives a detailed account of the further anti-trust difficulties that British Airways is now in, involving price fixing of both cargo and passenger fuel surcharges, the latter with Virgin Atlantic and other airlines.

Philippines looking to hold air services negotiations with New Zealand and Singapore

An August 2007 story in the Manila newspaper, the Business Mirror, reports that the Philippines is looking to hold air services negotiations with New Zealand and Singapore in the near future.

Pacific Blue to start domestic operations in New Zealand

On 23 August 2007 details were announced by Brett Godfrey of domestic services to be operated by New Zealand-based Virgin Blue subsidiary, Pacific Blue. The initial operations will be on the AKL-WLG-CHC triangle commencing on 15 November 2007 with further destinations to follow. The aircraft to be used is the 180-seat Boeing 737-800.

With the airline being Australian-owned, this is a rare example of a cabotage service.

Air New Zealand responded almost immediately by dropping some of its fare levels. Pacific Blue will also be competing against Qantas subsidiary, JetConnect, which trades under the Qantas brand name.

I attended the launch in Wellington.

European paper on environment issues for ICAO Assembly

On 9 July 2007 the European Commission released a European working paper, "A comprehensive approach to managing aviation's environmental impacts," to be presented by Portugal at the triennial International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly (see previous post).

The 36th session of the Assembly is to be held in Montreal from 18 to 28 September 2007.

Japan and South Korea liberalise air services arrangements

Reports on 3 August 2007 in Bloomberg, Chosun Ilbo, Japan Today and Channel Newsasia outline the contents of new air services arrangements reached between Japan and South Korea. The exchange negotiated over two days last week in Tokyo includes a limited exchange of fifth freedom rights. Restrictions remain on access to the two slot-constrained Tokyo airports, Narita and Haneda.

These are the first such more open arrangements negotiated by Japan and clearly represent the implementation of a major change in policy (see previous post).

V Australia

Virgin Blue International Airlines Pty Ltd now has a trading name. On 25 July 2007 Virgin Blue announced that the proposed new international airline will be called V Australia (see previous post).

Canada and Iceland conclude "open skies" air services agreement

On 18 July 2007 the Canadian Minister of Transport announced the conclusion of a new bilateral "open skies" agreement between Canada and Iceland.

New Zealand's current air services negotiation priorities

In a 20 July 2007 speech to the annual conference of the Aviation Industry Association of New Zealand (AIA), the Minister of Transport Safety, Hon Harry Duynhoven, outlined some of New Zealand's current priorities for air services negotiations. These include holding negotiations with Canada, the European Union, the Philippines and Turkey.

Air New Zealand and the B787

A 16 July 2007 Herald article by David Stone points to the merits of the forthcoming B787-9 aircraft for Air New Zealand, noting the new non-stop route options from Auckland that will become available - he lists Bombay, Beijing, Johannesburg, Buenos Aires and Chicago. The airline now has eight of these aircraft on order.

Virgin Blue International Airlines application to US DoT

The application to the US Department of Transportation by Virgin Blue International Airlines Pty Ltd for an exemption and a foreign air carrier permit has now been posted on the web (the docket number is OST-2007-28705). Included is a diagram showing the structure of the Virgin Blue Group of Airlines.

Six B777-300ER aircraft have been ordered for use by the airline. The trading name of the airline has yet to be finalised with a short list having been publicised.

Scramble for London Heathrow runway slots

The Times of London has an article by Dominic O'Connell dated 1 July 2007 reporting on the high demand for slots at Heathrow airport following the signing of the new "open skies" air services agreement between the European Union and the United States. The grey market price is reported to have doubled since last year.

UK Government answer on stage two of the US/EU "open skies" negotiations

A 9 July 2007 story in Aviation Daily reports on the official UK position with respect to stage two of the EC/US "open skies" negotiations. The parliamentary question and answer given on 28 June 2007 by Gillian Merron MP is recorded in Hansard.

Standard Poodle family on front page of Wellington newspaper

A front page Dominion Post story reports on some strife involving the mother, father and sister of our two Standard Poodles.

Implications of the B787 for Air New Zealand

The New Zealand Herald carries an article by Liam Dann dated 9 July 2007 reporting on the implications of the new Boeing B787 for Air New Zealand. It quotes Group General Manager International Ed Sims from Air New Zealand as saying "If you put a blindfold on and tried to design the perfect aircraft for Air New Zealand, you couldn't come up with anything better than the 787."

Notable details include that the company is currently investigating 20 to 25 new routes and envisages launching around two new routes each year with more possible when the B787 is introduced.

The rollout of the Boeing B787

Sunday, 8 July 2007 (a little after 1030 on Monday New Zealand time) will see Boeing rollout the first new B787 aircraft. Already pictures of the aircraft in the paint shop have been published on the web. For me though the more significant event will be the first flight.

There will be massive media coverage of the rollout. I recommend having a look at a couple of blogs - those of Seattle Post-Intelligencer aerospace reporter James Wallace and of Boeing Commercial Airlines Vice President, Marketing, Randy Tinseth.

It is already clear that this aircraft and its engines have the potential to represent one of the major advances in the history of civil aviation technology. What I find stunning is that so many airlines have ordered the B787 even before its has flown - Air New Zealand was the second airline to do so back in 2004 and now has eight on order. The aircraft's combination of size and long range will make it particularly significant for remote countries like New Zealand and Australia.

Australia and Sri Lanka agree new air services arrangements

The Australian Minister of Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, announced on 21 June 2007 new air services arrangements between Sri Lanka and Australia. A feature of the new arrangements is that there is no limit on cargo services.

Progress on implementing "open skies" in Africa

In a 5 June 2007 article Flight International reports on progress being made towards implementing "open skies" within Africa.

UK Office of Fair Trading sets deadline for action on air fare advertising

The Telegraph has a story dated 1 July 2007 that the United Kingdom Office of Fair Trading has set a 31 July 2007 deadline for action on misleading advertising of the cost of air travel by airlines and holiday companies (see previous post).

ASEAN Secretary General says progress towards regional "open skies" is slow

On 24 June 2007 Bloomberg reported comments by Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary General Ong Keng Yong to a World Economic Forum meeting that progress on reaching a limited "open skies" air transport agreement covering routes between ASEAN capitals by 2008 was proving to be slow.

Canada and Kuwait conclude new air services agreement

On 17 May 2007 the Canadian Ministers of Transport and International Trade announced the conclusion of the first bilateral air transport agreement between Canada and Kuwait.

South Korea signs new air services arrangements with the Philippines

New air services arrangements have been signed between the Philippines and South Korea. A story dated 25 June 2007 carried by Yahoo, reports that the negotiations saw a large capacity increase to 19,000 seats per week for the airlines of each side.

A 21 June 2007 column in the Manila Standard Today outlines the Korean negotiating tactics. A opinion column dated 15 June 2007 in the Inquirer, highly critical of the Philippines delegation leader, Undersecretary Edward Pagunsan, suggests that there may have been considerable tensions within the Philippines delegation. A 7 June 2007 article in the Manila Times expands on this.

European Commission still seeking mandate to negotiate new air services agreement with New Zealand

A press release issued on 26 June 2007 ahead of a visit to New Zealand by European Commissioner for External Affairs, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, notes that "The European Commission is seeking a negotiating mandate from EU Member States to open talks on a more ambitious air transport agreement that would fully liberalize air services between the EU and New Zealand." (See previous post.)

Reported concerns about draft Indian civil aviation policy

A 26 June 2007 Times Now story outlines the concerns that some other Indian government agencies have about the draft civil aviation policy (see previous post).