Macao and the Republic of Korea signed a new Memorandum of Understanding for further co-operation on air transport

With the aim to cope with the development of the Macao economy, to increase Macao’s external link, to facilitate trade and people’s interaction, as well as to further strengthen the already well-established co-operation between Macao and Korea, after series of preparatory and communication works between the two aeronautical authorities, a new round of air services talks was held successfully in Macao on 26-27 February. At present, the air links between Macao and Korea include: Air Macau’s daily scheduled services between Macao and Seoul, Viva Macau’s regular charter flights between Pusan and Macao as well as between Macao and Muan Airport in Gwangju. According to the tourism statistics, number of visitors arrivals to Macao from Korea in 2007 was 225,417, an increase of 39% compared to the previous year. For this consultation, under the premise of ensuring aviation safety, both sides aim to improve and expand the present co-operation arrangement. Both sides exchanged their views in a friendly and cordial atmosphere and have achieved consensus in several aspects. The new document mainly covers the following contents: - Expansion of route schedule - Under the previous arrangement, designated airlines of the Macao side may only operate scheduled services to one point in Korea, but under the new arrangement, designated airlines of Macao are allowed to operate scheduled services to any point in Korea. The beyond points in the Route Schedule are increased from only 2 points to any point. This greatly increases the operation scope for the air carriers. - Liberalization of all-cargo operations - This aims to encourage air carriers with freight transportation ability to join the market. From Macao’s perspective, we hope to attract the world renowned Korean air freight transporter to enter the Macao-Korea routes. - Code share arrangement - This establishes the frame system for bilateral aviation enterprise's commercial co-operation, in order to cover a bigger market. - Incorporation of the Aviation Safety Clause - Ensuring aviation safety is always the priority for aviation authorities, in accordance with the ICAO recommendations, both sides plan to incorporate the aviation afety clause into the Agreement that was signed on 4 April 1997. Since this involves an amendment to the Agreement, Macao will have to obtain the appropriate authorization from the central government. During the stay of the Korean delegation, they also visited the Macao International Airport and some of the hotel and convention facilities in Macao. Both sides agreed to have a new round of talk in the near future so as to further increase the present capacity entitlement and to amend the Air Services Agreement.