EU and Australia sign aviation agreement
EU and Australia sign aviation agreement
Holidaymakers planning a trip to
Australia might find that flights cost them less than in the past with the signing of a new agreement between the country and the EU.
Jacques Barrot, vice-president in charge of transport at the EU, explained that European carriers will now be able to operate routes to Australia from any member state regardless of their country of origin.
Mr Barrot added that the move could eventually lead to an agreement similar in nature to the open skies agreement between the USA and the EU.
He said: "I welcome this important step in the EU's air transport relations with Australia.
"This will pave the way for a comprehensive aviation agreement involving cooperation in key aviation areas such as competition, safety and the environment."
The fact that more than four million people travel between
Europe and Australia each year shows that such an agreement is vital for the EU, he concluded.
Last month, Christopher Brown, managing director of Australia's Tourism and Transport Forum, told the Sydney Morning Herald that the country will be striving hard to maintain tourism levels this year.
Last year saw Australian tourism revenue grow at the fastest rate for almost ten years.
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3 May 2008
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