Macao endeavours to attract new airlines to Macao

New airlines operating to Macao

To cope with the aim of achieving market diversification, the Macao SAR government has always adopted an open skies policy. In addition to encouraging and helping local airlines to launch new routes, the Macao SAR government also endeavours to attract more foreign airlines to operate air services to Macao. In 2007, a total of 5 new airlines entered the Macao market, which were Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, East Star Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air. These airlines now operate to Beijing, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Wuhan and Manila respectively.

In the beginning of 2008, besides having Jetstar Asia as a newcomer to operate a low cost route with a daily flight between Singapore and Macao commencing 02 February, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) has also been contacted by Philippines Airlines and Bangkok Airways which expressed their intention to operate between Manila and Macao, and Bangkok and Macao respectively. Pending for the submission of all necessary documents and information by the two airlines and the approval of the aeronautical authorities of both sides, it is expected that the new airlines will operate the routes starting the end of March.

Macao’s present aviation network

Presently, a total of 17 airlines operate scheduled services in Macau International Airport. These airlines are Air Macau, VIVA Macau, East Asia Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Air China, East Star Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, EVA Airways, TransAsia Airways, Air Asia, Thai Air Asia, Jetstar Asia, Tiger Airways, Cebu Pacific Air, Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines Cargo. Other than these are  MK Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines which operate regular charters.

The above airlines fly to a total of 34 cities: Beijing, Chengdu, Fuzhou, Guilin, Haikou, Hangzhou, Kunming, Nanjing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Changsha, Wuhan, Wuxi, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Osaka, Tokyo, Seoul, Pusan, Gwangju, Manila, Clark, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Johor Bahru, Singapore, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh, Sydney, Cairns and Dallas.

Macao signed a new Record of Discussions on air transport with Japan

In accordance with the demand for air traffic and the requests made by other countries, AACM  takes an active part in contacting with the foreign countries for concluding an Air Services Agreement (ASA) or renewing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). On 29 and 30 January 2008, AACM and the Civil Aviation Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan held an informal meeting in Macao and signed a new Record of Discussions (ROD), which helps to pave way for the conclusion of a bilateral ASA that governs the operation of scheduled air services between the two places in the future. The new ROD replaced the old ROD which was signed in July 2006.

According to the old ROD, the designated airlines of each party were only allowed to operate three flights per week between Macao and Japan; the destination granted to the designated airline of Macao was limited to Osaka. The new ROD lifts the capacity limitation and Macao’s designated airline is now allowed to operate to all Japanese cities except Tokyo.

In addition, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan is now coordinating with their Ministry of Foreign Affairs in working out the draft of the ASA between Macao and Japan. The draft will be sent to the Macao side for study after the Japanese side has accomplished all the necessary internal procedures. The Japanese side expected that the consultations can take place in 2008.