KUALA LUMPUR: South-East Asian airline operators will soon be able to make stopovers in other Asean member nations, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
This would be made possible by the implementation of Protocol 5 on Own Stopover Rights between Points within the Territory of any Asean Member State, he added.
“Before this, Asean airline operators could only go to a particular destination and return to their original point of departure.
“Under Protocol 5, they can go to another point within other Asean member states (in the course of the same flight).
“For example, a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore will also be able to head to Bali in Indonesia,” he told a press conference after the signing of Protocol 5 on Friday (Nov 22).
The signing is in conjunction with the 30th Asean Transport Ministers and 58th Senior Transport Officials meetings.
Loke said the move will also boost regional air connectivity.
“It facilitates greater operational flexibility for carriers, promotes tourism, and enhances trade by providing more seamless and convenient air travel options across the region,” he said.
Loke also highlighted Asean's Open Skies policy.
“Asean member state carriers can fly to any airport within the region, which makes it more convenient for our carriers as well.
“Malaysia too has ample benefits from this,” he said, adding that Open Skies would be implemented sometime next year.
“It will come into force once all Asean members sign (and then) the Asean Secretariat will finalise (its implementation),” he said.
Myanmar and Indonesia have yet to sign.
