Credit: Rob Finlayson
Singapore and Argentina have signed an open skies agreement, eliminating restrictions on air service and potentially jump-starting flights between the two countries.
Singapore additionally agreed to a revised air services agreement with Turkey to allow for more flights between Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and Istanbul Airport (IST).
There are currently no nonstop flights between Buenos Aires and SIN. Singapore and Argentina have had an air services agreement since 1997, but routing restrictions limited flights. Argentinian carriers were restricted in flying beyond Singapore after landing at SIN.
The open skies accord enables “airlines of both countries to operate passenger and cargo services between and beyond the two countries without any restriction on frequency, capacity, routing and aircraft type,” the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said, adding the agreement “marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations.”
Singapore and Turkey adjusted an air services agreement last updated in 2014. Singapore Airlines (SIA) currently operates 14X-weekly flights between SIN and IST, while Turkish Airlines operates 4X-weekly flights on the route, according to CAAS. The new agreement allows airlines from both counties to operate up to 17X-weekly flights between the countries.
For the week commenced Sept. 30, Turkish offers 9,562 two-way seats between IST and SIN, while SIA operates 2,088 two-way weekly seats on the route, according to OAG Schedules Analyzer data.
Additionally, carriers on both sides will be allowed to operate up to 4X-weekly freighter flights between Turkey and Singapore.
CAAS Director-General Han Kok Juan said the accords will “allow airlines to start new routes, increase flight frequencies and establish strategic airline partnerships to provide new travel options."
CAAS noted Singapore has more than 140 air services agreements with other countries, including greater than 80 open skies accords.
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