SAR Government informs Air Macau there will be no exclusive right

AACM hired an international consultancy firm to study on the future development of the air transport market for Macao in 2017. The new planning for Macao’s air transport market is an important economic policy for the SAR Government. In accordance with Article 117 of the Macao SAR Basic Law, it is necessary for the SAR Government to communicate with the Central Government when devising this important planning. Although the direction for the future development is yet to be formalized, the SAR Government already informed Air Macau in October last year that their exclusive right will not be extended after 2020, but Air Macau will still continue to operate flights as an air operator registered in Macao.

The operation of any routes to Macao by a foreign airline is not restricted by the present concession of Air Macau. Any foreign airline who wishes to operate scheduled flights to Macao can file in their flight application to AACM for approval, on the condition that the airline is designated by the aeronautical authorities of the contracting party and fly the route in accordance with the provisions as laid down in the bilateral air services agreement between Macao and the contracting area.

Up till now, Macau International Airport operates about 200 flights per day, served by 35 airlines connecting Macao to 56 destinations.