Singapore Airlines try to gain access to AUS-USA route

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has long wanted to gain access the highly lucrative Australia-USA route. However, the Australian Government has been blocking SIA gaining access, in favor of protecting Australian Airlines, such as Qantas and new entrant V-Australia from the extra competition SIA would create.

In the National Aviation Policy White Paper, the Australian Government left the door open for SIA, saying that it would allow V-Australia establish itself, and be open to trade 'air service rights' with other 'like minded' partners.

Interestingly, the Singapore Government has granted low cost Qantas subsidiary, Jetsar, access to air service rights between Singapore and other Asian countries. It would be wrong for the Australian Government to not grant SIA access to the USA route, if Australian Airlines are being granted access to lucrative routes out of Singapore.

See full article at http://www.watoday.com.au/business/sia-bid-for-usdirect-route-20100314-q62e.html