Both the air and tourism sectors were the most affected during the pandemic and this measure would boost its reactivation.
Eliminating air restrictions between nations and allowing the arrival of new airlines to the country is what brings about the recent signing of memoranda of understanding with the United States, Kuwait, Chile and the Dominican Republic to maintain an open skies policy. This was done last Wednesday by the Minister of Transport and Public Works, Marcelo Cabrera.
With these agreements they abolish air restrictions thus changing the landscape.
Normally, when a foreign airline had plans to expand its frequencies, it had to request permits from the aeronautical authorities of Ecuador and its country of origin.
These frequencies are granted according to the availability that exists and there are limits, depending on the country. For example, The United States has already assigned the 120 frequencies that can operate in Ecuador among its airlines. Now, that limitation is unlocked.
“With the United States it is extremely important. We have a very large exchange and the offer of flights here was dammed because the North American airlines already had the number of frequencies that were in the previous agreement, which was 120 weekly frequencies. And there was the interest of new airlines to come, but it could not do it because there were no frequencies available and now what is being done is unblocking “, he explains Marco Subía, president of the Association of Representatives of Air Lines of Ecuador.
The airline sector registered economic losses of $ 600 million in 2020, according to the union.
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Subía mentions that this measure, in addition, It will allow the export sector to be strengthened, through commercial exchange through air cargo.
“The flowers, tropical fruits, the cargo that leaves by plane will be energized. Also, the country is negotiating free trade agreements. Air cargo is essential, ”says Sobía, adding that these beneficiaries are connected to the Tourism sector.
“Tourism is like rain, it waters everyone, it will reach hotels, taxis, tour operators, restaurants. It is an activity that reaches almost all of society ”, he indicates.
Y Holbach Muñeton, president of the Federation of Chambers of Tourism of Ecuador, looks with “good eyes” this signing of memorandums of understanding.
He says that it will help boost the economy and therefore the sector, which to date has a 50% drop compared to 2019 levels.
“This will make Ecuador more dynamic. That reactivation be promoted because at this moment the reactivation is hard, we have not yet gotten up. We are subsisting ”, he emphasizes.
Muñeton points out that these agreements will impact hotels, restaurants, tour operators, travel agencies and others linked to that value chain.
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For Muñeton, signing with the other countries is important, but it highlights that America is the best customer. This is because 380,000 Americans arrived in 2019, according to the representative of the tourism sector.
Subía agrees with Muñeton and adds that the signature of understanding with The Dominican Republic is attractive because there is an airline interested in establishing a new route.
With Chile he explains that it is also essential. “There is a local airline, which is Latam, and I am sure that this opening will allow other (airlines) to come,” he says.
And with Kuwait assures that, in the long term, it will see airline operations, especially in cargo.
The signing of the memorandums of understanding between Minister Cabrera and the four countries took place in Bogotá during the XIII International Business Conference on Air Agreements (ICAN2021).
“This day is important for the country, the open skies memoranda that we signed unite Ecuador with the world, our commercial partners are closer, this means more work,” said Cabrera.
Also, the head of the State portfolio highlighted the union with the United States and that firm steps are being taken for reactivation. (I)
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