Flying high

The end of March saw the much-heralded US/EU open skies deal come into effect. The agreement signals an end to limitations on which airlines can fly between the US and the EU - and also sees an end to restrictions on where the carriers can take off from.

The larger national groups such as BA and Air France are already expected to announce the launch of new direct trans-Atlantic routes from other EU member countries, opening up the previous limits to consumer choice.

Though the GCC already boasts a number of world-class airlines - many of which have blossomed in an incredibly short time-span to become award winners - and a fledgling open skies agreement that was signed in May of 2006, there is still a way to go before the spirit behind the deal is fully enforced.

The frequent business flyer is, unfortunately, at the sharp end of this reluctance to allow unfettered access to all comers, as both the numbers and cost comparisons of routes are lessened accordingly - although things may be about to change.

In addition to the existing batch of regional low cost carriers Jazeera airways and Air Arabia, Emirates is also launching its own budget spin-off. The new wing is set to fly routes that aren't currently being catered for and will open up a whole new range of inter-region options for frequent flyers.

At the other end of the spectrum the GCCs private business aviation sector is going from strength to strength, with new companies and enterprises springing up in every major city and investors rushing to grab a piece of the action.

The inclusion of specific bays for both types of air travel in the new hubs being developed and expanded, such as Dubai World Central, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait, is testament to consumer choice in air travel being the feature of the future.

Despite the gripes being heard in certain quarters at the delay in achieving a western-style open skies policy, the region may be right to keep holding off until the infrastructure - and reciprocity agreements - are completely in place.

The advantage of being able to take on pre-established best practices is that one can avoid the mistakes of others. The disaster accompanying the opening of Heathrow's "flagship" Terminal 5 and the further humiliation heaped on to BA by the forced cancellation of almost 300 flights in the first four days of operation is a point in case.

Though maturity cannot come overnight, and in the short term business travellers may feel the pinch, the end undoubtedly justifies the means.

Edward Poultney is the editor of CEO Middle East English.

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