U.S., Australia Reach Fully Open Skies Accord

U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters yesterday said the United States and Australia concluded an Open Skies agreement that will "eliminate restrictions" on air service between the two countries.

The U.S. Department of Transportation said the agreement allows carriers from both countries to "select routes and destinations based on consumer demand, without limitations on the number of U.S. or Australian carriers that can fly between the two countries or the number of flights they can operate." DOT said the agreement also "removes restrictions on capacity and pricing, and provides opportunities for cooperative marketing arrangements, including code-sharing, between U.S. and Australian carriers."

DOT said Australia will become the United States' 90th Open Skies partner, pending the formal signing of the agreement.