Peru's lawmakers are looking for ways to leave the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) open skies accord.
Peru signed the accord in May 2001, but became unhappy with the arrangement when Chile also became a signatory in January 2003. Because the APEC deal grants open skies between all signatory nations, it effectively gives Chilean airlines unlimited fifth freedoms between Peru and the USA.
The issue is before Peru's congress, where lawmakers have criticised former president Alberto Fujimori for signing. Citing a lack of reciprocity, a congressional committee calls the APEC accord illegal. 'Peru allows Chile to use our routes so that their airlines fly to the USA, Europe, and Asia,' it says, 'whereas they give us the possibility of flying to Patagonia, the South Pole and Australia.'
Peru's foreign ministry has notified APEC that Peru mistakenly signed the accord without the required approval from its congress. Peru is also seeking to revise its current bilateral with Chile to roll back fifth freedoms previously granted. Chilean flag carrier LanChile views the dispute with indifference because its affiliate, LanPeru, has Peru-USA rights independent of anything contained in Peru's bilateral with Chile.
Source: Airline Business
