Regulations and Government
Protectionism Still Winning as Liberalization Stalls
Asean nations have treaties in place that would allow the market to be liberalized, the the largest nations continue to drag their feet.
Part of the reason for the failure to implement an open skies agreement is airport congestion. Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport, above, already operates at three times its planned capacity.
Part of the reason for the failure to implement an open skies agreement is airport congestion. Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport, above, already operates at three times its planned capacity.

In the 49 years since its conception, the 10-member Association of Southeast Asia Nations (Asean) has been gradually moving towards greater liberalization of its air transport services. In line with this strategy is the Asean Single Aviation Market (ASAM)–an ambitious open-skies scheme that was intended to further liberalize air services under a unified air transport market by the end of 2015.