ASEAN Airlines to Enjoy Stopover Freedom, Boosting Trade and Tourism

[snoop1130]

 

In a landmark update, member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) airlines will soon be granted the freedom to perform multiple stopovers across member territories. This marks a significant change from the current provisions, which only permit direct return flights between two destinations.

 

This announcement was made by Anthony Loke, Malaysian Transport Minister, noting that this change will be activated once all ASEAN member states sign Protocol 5 on Own Stopover Rights. However, all ASEAN members, excluding Myanmar and Indonesia, have signed Protocol 5 as of now.

 

During a press conference, Loke provided an example stating, "A flight departing from Kuala Lumpur could go to Singapore, proceed to Bali, Indonesia, and from there carry on to other ASEAN destinations.”

 

 

This news was proclaimed at the 30th Asian Transport Ministers (ATM) and the 58th Senior Transport Officials Meetings (STOM). Loke strongly believes that this protocol will boost regional air connectivity, offering airlines more operational flexibility. "This initiative will push tourism and accentuate trade by proposing more seamless and convenient air travel options across the region."

 

Asian carriers, including Malaysian operators who possess substantial regional route networks, are anticipated to reap significantly from this enhancement.

 

The protocol has been dispatched to the remaining member states yet to sign. According to Loke, we can expect Protocol 5 to be implemented by 2025, once all the signatures from member states are brought onboard. This move signals the start of a new era for ASEAN airlines and an exciting switch for passengers who shall now enjoy more travel routes and options.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-11-25

 

 

[Bobthegimp]

Good for the people with balloons full of substances rammed up their bung holes to be able to distribute to more locations in a day. 

[Spilornis]

Is this just a stop en route to another country or does it include the right to pick up new passengers in say Bangkok and proceed to a third country.

The latter would be a big change

[khunjeff]

7 hours ago, Spilornis said:

Is this just a stop en route to another country or does it include the right to pick up new passengers in say Bangkok and proceed to a third country.

The latter would be a big change

 

It's not clear from the media reports (all of which just parrot an ASEAN press release) whether this would involve full fifth freedom rights or not, and I can't locate the actual text of the new protocol online 😕 

[jcmj]

Well at least TAT can increase their numbers 🤣

[LukKrueng]

12 hours ago, Spilornis said:

Is this just a stop en route to another country or does it include the right to pick up new passengers in say Bangkok and proceed to a third country.

The latter would be a big change

 

5 hours ago, khunjeff said:

 

It's not clear from the media reports (all of which just parrot an ASEAN press release) whether this would involve full fifth freedom rights or not, and I can't locate the actual text of the new protocol online 😕 

It's called protocol 5 so one can assume it's about fifth freedom, as just being allowed to drop off passengers doesn't make any sense.

[DonniePeverley]

How is this going to help Thailand ? They already get millions more cheap tourists than these other countries. 

 

It can only benefit these other countries, as people take days away from Thailand to head to these other countries. 

 

ODD thailand would push for this. 

[khunjeff]

20 hours ago, LukKrueng said:

It's called protocol 5 so one can assume it's about fifth freedom, as just being allowed to drop off passengers doesn't make any sense.

 

The previous Protocol 5 only covered third and fourth freedom rights, so I don't think the name tells you anything. And they could certainly allow circular routes where pax who boarded in Thailand could get off at any of the stops, while Thailand-bound pax could board at any stop. Hardly ideal, but definitely possible (and not requiring fifth freedom rights).