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Singapore And The United Kingdom Sign Open Skies Agreement 
Posted on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 08:00 PM

Singapore signed the Open Skies Agreement (OSA) with the United Kingdom (UK) in London today. The landmark agreement was signed by Singapore’s Ministe r for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Raymond Lim and United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Ruth Kelly MP.

2. The OSA, which was earlier concluded on 2 October 2007, will remove all restrictions on air services operated by Singapore and UK carriers. This agreement goes beyond conventional OSAs, by providing for unlimited “hubbing” and “cabotage” rights for carriers of both countries.

3. At the signing ceremony, Mr Raymond Lim said, “I am very happy that the UK and Singapore have managed to conclude such a liberal and comprehensive air transport agreement. This landmark Open Skies Agreement clearly reflects the strong bilateral ties between both countries. Singapore has always embraced and championed a proliberalisation aviation regime, and we are naturally delighted that the UK shares this view. With the opening of Changi Airport’s Terminal 3 and Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 in the coming year, it is my hope that this agreement will enable our carriers to expand their networks and enhance their connectivity at both airports, and ultimately, take aviation cooperation between Singapore and the UK to even greater heights.”

4. The OSA will be effective from end March 2008.