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Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said it was the country’s policy to have such pacts with as many countries as it would enhance the position of KL International Airport.
<P>“Air travel and air links are very crucial in trade and tourism,
without them, you don’t talk about trade and tourism,” he said after
witnessing a signing ceremony on a charter flight programme between Taiwan’s
Far Eastern Air Transport and Sanbumi Air Transport Sdn Bhd. </P><P>He was commenting
on a recent Malaysia Airlines Employees Union (Maseu) statement that the agreements
could pose problems to Malaysia. </P><P>Maseu general-secretary Ab Malek Ariff
had said that the pacts could place the country at great risk because any aircraft
could declare itself a commercial craft and enter Malaysian airspace. </P><P>Chan
lauded Sanbumi for having the programme with Far Eastern, saying that since Malaysia
and Taiwan practised the “open sky” policy, there was a lot of room
for development. </P><P>“This is a good partnership, I hope they will help
to play an active role and contribute tremendously to the development of air travel
and tourism in the country. </P><P>“When it comes to charter flights we are
very flexible,” he said, adding that such partnerships with tour agencies
were welcomed. </P><P>On another matter, Chan said the ministry and the Department
of Civil Aviation would never compromised on safety aspects. </P><P>“Therefore,
all airlines flying into the country must comply with standards outlined by the
International Civil Aviation Organisation,” he said when asked of the safety
procedures imposed on foreign low-cost carriers.</P><P><I>Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/2/24/nation/16966269&sec=nation</I></P>
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