Page 4 - AAA SEPTEMBER - OCOTBER 2017 Online Magazine

EDITOR’S NOTE CREDITS

Fair Winds Editor
Vittorio Rossi Prudente
vittorio.prudente@gbp.com.sg
In an era of low air-fares and abundant choice of airlines to fly to any corner of the world; Deputy Editor
a time when air-travel was heavily regulated and competition stifled seems far away. Jay Menon
Next year marks the 40th year of the deregulation of the commercial airline industry jay.menon@gbp.com.sg
in the United States. It was deregulation that opened up the commercial aviation Bangalore Bureau Chief
market; the event remains a major milestone in the history of aviation. The advent of Atul Chandra
atul.chandra@gbp.com.sg
liberalisation in commercial aviation also resulted in a wave of privatisation across
Government owned airlines the world over and the creation of new carriers. Singapore Bureau Chief
Aprajita Anil
aprajita.anil@gbp.com.sg
Over the last few decades, the increased competition in this sector has not only forced
existing carriers to improve their services but also led to hungry newcomers bringing in US Bureau Chief
Arun Sivasankaran
innovations to change the status quo. Passengers have certainly benefited, but that has arun .sivasankaran@gbp.com.sg
not been the only positive. The economic benefits of new cities and towns being linked Contributors
by air travel has had a transformational effect on the world economy. The importance Geoffrey Thomas, Subodh Agarwal
of air travel to maintain economic growth can be ascertained by the fact that 1/3rd of Operations Director
all world trade, worth more than US$18.6 billion by value, travels by air each day. Open Siva Sachi
Skies agreements have also promoted higher levels of competition on international and siva.sachi@gbp.com.sg
long-haul markets. Implementing such agreements fully, however, takes time. A case in Art Director
point: The implementation of the Open Skies agreement by ASEAN (Association Arthur Chan
arthur.chan@gbp.com.sg
of South-eastern Asian Nations) began in 2009 and was fully ratified only last year.
Web Director
Nowhere is the Open Skies policy more under threat than in the USA, where the Middle Elmer Valencia
elmer.valencia@gbp.com.sg
East trio of Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates are facing resistance from the Circulation Manager
U.S. airline industry over trans-Atlantic route expansion plans. A combination of factors Akshay Satyamurthy
have already impacted the Middle East to North America market this year. While the akshay.satyamurthy@gbp.com.sg
cabin ban on large portable electronic devices has now been lifted, a wider impact is Advertising ContACts:
expected from proposed travel bans to the US. Traffic growth on the Middle East-US marketing@gbp.com.sg
route has begun to slow down since early this year. Clearly, the battle-lines are now laid Europe – Canada and all other countries:
out for the competing airlines. Global Communications sas
Tel: +39 049 723548
Helen@global-communications.it
There is also the matter of the rising tide of nationalistic rhetoric, which could lead to
greater protectionism and lead to restricted borders. This will adversely affect the USA
Contact: Josh Mayer
growth of the aviation sector worldwide, thus causing a serious dent in the global Tel : +1 972 816-6745 / Fax : +1 972 767 4442
economy. However, looking at it from the air traveller’s point of view, the current situation jm@mayeradvertising.com
is close to perfect. Fares are low, airlines are competing to offer a range of services at China
affordable prices and commercial jetliners have never been more comfortable to fly in. Contact: Xu Yixin
There has never been a better time to travel. Mob: +8613811688955
Tel: 86-10-58354055 / Fax: 86-10-84043033
xuyixin@cannews.com.cn
South East Asia
EDITOR Contact: Siva Sachi
Asian Airlines & Aerospace Mob: +6012-905 6825
siva.sachi@gbp.com.sg

Global Business Press Pte. Ltd.
ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE
Level 34, Centennial Tower,
3 Temasek Avenue, Singapore 039190.
Tel: +65 6549 7706 Fax : +65 6549 7011
Email : enquiry@gbp.com.sg Web : www.gbp.com.sg
ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE is a bi-monthly publication for professionals
working in all sectors of the airline, airport and related industries.
Opinions expressed by contributors in ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE do
not necessarily represent those of the publisher or editor. This publication
may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without
the written express consent of the publishers.
4 ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2017 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/AAA