Abstract EN:

The aim of this dissertation is threefold: 1) to provide an overview of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) air transport services and evolving regulatory landscape; 2) to estimate the potential effects of easing trade and regulatory impediments in the sector; and 3) to examine policy options available to Asia Pacific economies to maximise the gains of air transport services liberalisation. Particular attention is paid to the policy relevance of this research for APEC governments in the medium term. The first two chapters present trade and regulatory patterns in the APEC region, respectively in air passenger and cargo services. They then analyse the extent to which reduction of air transport services impediments enhances the region’s international trade. Both are primarily empirical, but build on insights from recent research that provides a theoretical foundation to motivate the empirical investigation. The first chapter focuses on the effects of liberalisation on passenger traffic and the second on trade in merchandise, including with a focus on products of interest for Asia Pacific economies. The third chapter complements the first two by examining the role of regulation and remedial policies for the successful liberalisation of air transport in APEC. Having made the case for liberalisation through empirical analysis in the first two chapters, the focus here is on to how to minimise the downsides potentially stemming from reform in the sector, particularly in relation to competition policy and environmental protection. The chapter also explores negotiating options available to economies in the region.