The Open Skies policy, which is also known as the ASEAN Single Aviation Market (ASEAN-SAM), is intended to increase regional and domestic connectivity, integrate production networks and enhance regional trade by allowing airlines from ASEAN member states to fly freely throughout the region via the liberalization of air services under a single, unified air transport market.
Airline industry analysts are very positive on the new policy and many say that the Single Aviation Market will lead to growth and development as it opens up the market to more competition. Greater connectivity between aviation markets arising from ASEAN-SAM should encourage higher traffic growth and service quality, while lowering ticket prices.
If ASEAN-SAM is successfully implemented, there will be no regulatory limits on the frequency or capacity of flights between international airports across the 10 ASEAN member countries. Tellingly, not included in the current agreement are steps towards opening up ASEAN aviation to common ownership, in a market still very much populated by state-owned airlines.