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ON THIS PAGE: Commitments & exemptions Current negotiations Review of the annex Links Documents |
home > trade topics > services > sector-by-sector > air transport services |
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SERVICES: SECTOR BY SECTOR Air transport services Air transport services are governed by a specific annex of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). The annex excludes from the agreement the largest part of air transport services: traffic rights and services directly related to traffic. These services are nevertheless subject to a regular review by the Council for Trade in Services, with a view to considering the possible further application of the GATS to the sector. A first review took place in 2000-2003. The second review is ongoing. In preparation for the second review, the WTO Secretariat has developed the QUASAR database and methodology to assess, on a universal scale, the degree of liberalization achieved by the air transport sector. |
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In the Uruguay Round, negotiations focused on aircraft repair and
maintenance services, computer reservation services, selling and marketing
of air transport services. Current commitments and exemptions back to top > All commitments and exemptions to most-favoured nation treatment (i.e. non-discrimination). Search for air transport services in the commitments for services by country. For consolidated information on countries’ commitments and exemptions on air transport services go to the
services database. You can use this database to retrieve the services schedule for a
WTO member,
or to compare services commitments across members. The database does not
include data on current negotiations. Current negotiations back to top Air transport services are included in the new services negotiations, which began in January 2000.
In November 2005, WTO members collectively identified their sectoral and modal objectives for negotiations on air transport described in document TN/S/23 (para 17, page 20).
In March 2006, a group of members prepared plurilateral request
calling for extensive commitments in
five sub-sectors, namely aircraft repair and maintenance, selling
and marketing, computer reservation services, ground handling
services and airport operation services. These include full
commitments (when technically feasible) on Mode1 (services supplied
from one country to another) and on Mode 2 (consumers or firms
making use of a service in another country) and elimination of
economic needs tests (a test using economic criteria to decide
whether the entry into the market of a foreign firm is warranted and
restrictions on foreign equity participation for Mode 3 (a foreign
company setting up subsidiaries or branches to provide services in
another country). Review of air transport back to top Air transport is subject to a
specific review process.
Paragraph 5 of the Air Transport Annex states that “the Council
for Trade in Services shall review periodically, and at least every
five years, developments in the air transport sector and the
operation of the annex with a view to considering the further
application of the Agreement to the sector”. |
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First review back to top The first review was held between 2000 and 2003. Air Transport and the GATS: 1995-2000 gathers together the extensive background documentation produced by the Secretariat on the developments in the sector for the period 1995-2000. A report by the Council of Trade in Services includes submissions made by members and observers during the first review as well as its proceedings.
Second Review back to top The second review was formally opened in September 2005.
Some useful links and other resources back to top Links to other international organizations that deal with air transport:
Documents on air transport services back to top |
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Animation: Air traffic video