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Expert recommends incentives for ‘open skies’ policy
Posted On 08 Jan 2018
Ecuadornews:
The Government’s initiative generates expectations in airlines and in tourism sectors. The challenge of the regime is to make agreements with airlines interested in entering Ecuador. With the opening of the Ecuadorian skies that opens the possibility for new foreign airlines to enter the country, it is necessary to carry out negotiations with the States that are interested and, within that framework, the incentives offered by the government of Ecuador are fundamental.
Jean-Christophe Lievain, director of the Law School of the University of the Americas and an expert in aviation law, said that as incentives to attract international airlines, Ecuador can create free zones at airports or open special zones so that at a low cost airlines foreign passengers can make the transit of their passengers or of the charges that go to other countries. Another possibility is the expansion and strengthening of the international airports of Quito, Guayaquil, Manta and Latacunga, the latter mainly dedicated to cargo.
In addition to the repowering of other terminals as in the city of Cuenca one of the most attractive for tourism of foreign citizens. After the signing of the executive decree on open skies and after the negotiations that Ecuador must make from State to State to establish the framework agreements that will allow implementing the liberalization policy of the air transport markets, Lievain considers that the country should analyze, and If possible, reform the regulations for obtaining flight authorizations.
About this last point, the Minister of Tourism, Enrique Ponce de León, in a press conference held last Wednesday mentioned that it is necessary in the negotiations that are carried forward to facilitate conversations so that airlines obtain their operating permit, avoiding “Cumbersome procedures” that end up disappointing the companies, which go to other airports with better conditions. Ignacio Vallejo, chairman of the board of airlines TAME believes that with the declaration of open skies, the Ecuadorian company will have the opportunity to transport many more passengers in internal connectivity, as it will maintain the codeshare system with the new airlines that may arrive to Ecuador. “As a flag carrier, it will strengthen us because we are going to have very significant increased traffic. For example, the tourist who arrives from Germany will be able to travel with us to Cuenca, Loja or Galápagos; we will take all passengers to their final destination, “said the official.
He acknowledged that in terms of international traffic will have a tough competition, but that they will take on the challenge, for which they should strengthen their commercial and marketing aspect. María Beatriz González, sales manager of Avianca, said that the initiative of the regime will not only benefit the airlines, but also the hotel industry and the different cities that receive income from tourism. She also pointed out that with this policy of the regime the company he represents would also consider opening flights to enter this market, after negotiations with the country. She also stressed that the importance of the local market cannot be ignored, which is why Avianca has developed strategies to encourage domestic tourism.
Connectivity
Airlines on the lookout
AeroMexico, American Airlines, Avianca, Copa Airlines, Delta, Iberia, Jet Blue, KLM, Latam, Tame, United and Wingo are the airlines that currently land at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, located in Tababela
7 international cargo companies arrive at the airport in the capital, according to the company Quiport. Airports are prepared The terminals of Guayaquil, Manta, Quito and Latacunga have the capacity to integrate into the open skies policy. (I)
