Taipei, Dec. 15 (CNA) Taiwan and Australia have agreed on an open sky policy that removes restrictions on bilateral flight services stipulated in their previous aviation pact signed in 2006, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) said Thursday.
The new agreement, which took effect as it was announced, could support the government's "New Southbound Policy" -- which is aimed at enhancing Taiwan's relations with countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Australia and New Zealand -- by allowing airlines in Taiwan and Australia to operate unlimited services between the two countries, the CAA said.
Under the previous agreement, Taiwanese carriers provided 6,000 seats per week on flights to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, the CAA said, explaining that this capacity is becoming barely enough for Taiwanese carriers.
Currently, China Airlines is operating daily flights to Sydney, three flights to Melbourne and five flights to Brisbane per week; EVA Airways offers five flights to Brisbane per week.
Both carriers expressed hope of providing more flights to Australia, the CAA said, adding that it expects that the expanded air links could boost bilateral tourism and trade.
(By Wang Shu-fen and Lee Hsin-yin)ENDITEM/J
