Tue, Sep 20, 2005
More Flights, Lower Fares
US Transportation
Secretary Norman Mineta and Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr.
Kantathi Suphamongkhon Monday signed an Open-Skies aviation
agreement that will strengthen ties between the two countries by
enabling US and Thai airlines to offer more flights at lower fares.
With this agreement, Thailand becomes the 71st US Open-Skies
partner.
The agreement, finalized in Washington on Sept. 9, follows an
April 2005 meeting between Mineta and Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra in Bangkok. The Secretary and Prime Minister expressed
the desire at that time to conclude a comprehensive Open-Skies
agreement within six months of their meeting.
Prime Minister Thaksin also attended Monday's signing
ceremony.
"This agreement fulfills the commitment that Prime Minister
Thaksin and I made at our meeting last April -- to remove the
remaining barriers to aviation services between the United States
and Thailand," Mineta said. "Open Skies between the United States
and Thailand paves the way for better, more frequent and more
affordable air transportation between our countries."
In September 2003 the United States and Thailand reached
agreement to remove restrictions on all-cargo services between and
beyond the two countries. The new agreement also lifts restrictions
on passenger services, allowing airlines from both countries to
select routes and destinations based on consumer demand, without
limits on the number of carriers, flights, or cities that can be
served.
The agreement provides for a five-year transition to Open Skies
for pricing and for some services beyond the other country. All
other Open-Skies provisions will take effect immediately.
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