Eurasian Integration Yearbook 2012

Aigul Absametova. “Developing Air Transport Potentialof the EurAsEC Countries”Advanced Economic Cooperationin Sectors and Industriesproblem lies, to a significant extent, in the lack of investments in developingaerodrome networks.As for ATM, EurAsEC member states need to complete the planned enlargementof ATM centres and introduction of reduced vertical separation minimums(RVSM). Satellite communication equipment also needs to be installed to linkATM centres in EurAsEC member states with their European, American andAsian counterparts.The easing of administrative (non-physical) barriers is also critical to thedevelopment of scheduled international airfreight transportation in and throughEurAsEC. These barriers can be classified as follows:• business barriers, primarily high customs duties and taxes on aircraftpurchased (including new aircraft);• cross-border barriers for cargo traffic: lengthy customs clearance proceduresfor air cargo and other formalities at the member states’ airports cancel outany benefits from faster delivery. Experience shows that the time taken tocomplete formalities is often significantly longer than the flying time; and• regulatory barriers to market access: EurAsEC lacks an efficient market indelivering freight to third countries because of the provisions of bilateralintergovernmental air traffic agreements between EurAsEC member states.The majority of the problems identified above can be resolved by memberstate governments if there is a political will to do so. The development ofinfrastructure requires investment, not only from governments but also frompublic-private partnerships. Aerodrome infrastructure must be brought in linewith the latest requirements for handling large aircraft and with the ICAOStandards and Recommended Practices. This will significantly encourage thedevelopment of domestic and international traffic (including transit operations).The air transport sector is keen to simplify aircraft purchase and replacementprocedures, to streamline cross-border procedures and enhance access toforeign markets, including markets in transportation between third countries.Prospects for Cooperation between EurAsEC Member Statesin the Aviation SectorThe experience of integration associations globally suggests that to achievemacroeconomic, trade and political goals, common transport potential must bean integral component of the single economic space and common market.Transport (including civil aviation) is a key element of regional economiccooperation, without which the free trade area, the customs and economicunions and the common market cannot be fully developed.The development of integration associations increases passenger and cargotraffic between member countries. By the beginning of the 21 st century,Eurasian Development Bank181