Singapore Airlines hopes to get Australia-US route

Airline Industry Information, March 16, 2005

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Singapore Airlines' CEO expressed hope on Tuesday (15 March) that the carrier would reach an agreement this week over access to the route between Australia and the US.

So far no decision has been taken on whether to allow Singapore Airlines to fly the route, currently dominated by Australian airline Qantas, said a spokesperson for the Australian Transport Minister.

Singapore Airlines has for a long time wanted an open skies agreement with Australia that would allow the state-run carrier to compete with Qantas on direct routes between Australia and the US.

Australian Transport Minister John Anderson and Singapore Airlines' chief executive Chew Choon Seng are expected to hold talks on Wednesday (16 March).

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