AAPA may expand geographical limits to add more members - writes Neelam Mathews

	Asian Airlines & Airports Date Posted: 14 May 2011 The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) is prepared to consider the  possibility of widening its present membership base to include India, Andrew  Herdman, the trade body's director general told Asian Airlines and Airports. The AAPA currently limits membership to international airlines based  within time zones GMT+7 to GMT+12. This does not include India. “We would be prepared to consider extending that geographic coverage in the future, and we have spoken in general terms with a number of Indian carriers in the past. [Besides] AAPA welcomes  non-member airlines as participants in various AAPA meetings and events,” adds Herdman. While Herdman referred to adding Chinese carriers to AAPA, he did not elaborate. “As a representative industry trade association, AAPA aims to  serve the interests of the Asia Pacific airline community,  and is always keen to expand the membership and activities  of the Association,” adds Herdman. While Indian carriers are presently focused mainly on domestic  issues through the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), with more  carriers flying abroad, many issues will be common, Herdman says. Despite Asia Pacific carriers growing the fastest with a present  overall market share of 28% of global passenger traffic and  43% of global cargo traffic, there is a wider impact of US  and EU regulations with the Asia Pacific region having limited influence. AAPA addresses a wide range of aviation policy and  regulatory policy issues, engaging with governments and  regulatory authorities in this and other regions of the  world, bringing an Asian international perspective. India’s  increasing role on the world stage could prove a value  add says an Indian airline spokesman. “Whilst Asia Pacific airlines are demonstrating strong commercial  leadership in a competitive global market, we are also keen to  play a more active role in shaping international aviation policies,  through engagement with ICAO, and major regulatory authorities including the US and EU,” says Herdman. Other issues that Indian carriers could benefit as a result of  AAPA membership include a regional safety strategy (being  followed by AAPA) to address mutual challenges of regiona growth, skills and training demands, runway safety, data  and information sharing and reinforcing the role of ICAO  in setting global standards and regulatory oversight.