Review of Annex on Air Transport to the GATS
The Annex on Air Transport to the General Agreement on Trade in Services is required to be reviewed every five years. The second meeting of the second Review since the conclusion of the Uruguay Round took place in Geneva in March 2007. The third meeting of the Review took place in October 2007. The next meeting of the Review is scheduled for early 2008.
The Review provides an opportunity to examine developments in the air transport sector since the first review commenced in 2001 and to explore ways to facilitate further liberalisation of ancillary air transport services in the GATS. It also provides an opportunity to review operation of the Annex with the view to considering possible further application of the GATS to the air transport sector. Australia has been focused on locking in important liberalization in the air transport sector in recent years, particularly for ancillary services, such as ground handling and airport operations. Australia wishes to ensure that the second Review leads to concrete outcomes and opportunities for members, if they so desire, to make commitments in both these sectors.
Contact
For further information please contact:
Services Trade and Negotiations Section
Depart of Foreign Affairs and Trade
T: 02 6261 2048
F: 02 6273 1527
E: services.negotiations@dfat.gov.au