Australia Establishes Inaugural Air Services Agreement With Kiribati

• Historic step in Australia—Kiribati relationship with first air services agreement
• The new agreement will improve trade and tourism links between countries

The Australian Government has established an inaugural air services agreement with Kiribati, marking a historic step in the bilateral relationship. The new arrangements will facilitate new trade links and tourism opportunities between Australia and the Pacific region.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said air services arrangements with Kiribati were the 13th set of arrangements Australia had in place with Pacific island countries and territories.
“Today’s agreement is a significant step forward in developing Australia’s overall bilateral relationship with Kiribati and our Pacific neighbours more broadly,” Mr Chester said.
“Australia’s new air services arrangements with Kiribati will further tourism, trade and people-to-people links between our two countries.
“The new arrangements create opportunities for our respective airlines to operate up to a total of seven services per week between Australia’s major gateways and Kiribati, as well as an unlimited number of services to regional locations, including Darwin, Cairns, Adelaide and the Gold Coast.
“Airlines of both countries will also be able to utilise the highly liberal code sharing provisions to expand their global networks and connectivity through cooperative marketing arrangements with partner airlines.
“In order to cater for the growing level of trade between Australia and Kiribati, airlines will be able to operate an unlimited number of freight-only services.
“It’s great to see this arrangement finalised as part of delivering on the Government’s aviation priorities.”
 
(Source: TOURISM MATTERS – AUGUST 2017 Australian Government)