Singapore, Australia to discuss open skies

SINGAPORE, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Singapore and Australia were expected Saturday to begin talks on the proposed Open Skies Agreement during Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong's Sunday visit.

Yeo was expected to meet with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister John Anderson for talks on the OSA, Channel News Asia reported Saturday.

If the agreement is adopted, Singapore Airlines will be allowed to pick up passengers in Australia and fly to a third destination, such as the U.S. -- a lucrative route for SIA's Australian rival, Qantas.

Yeo has said he hopes the two countries will have a final agreement within two years.