Agreement close on air-service deal Sino-US talks are likely to come up with a framework that will give cargo carriers more new access than passenger airlines.

(From South China Morning Post)

Byline: Russell Barling

Mainland and United States negotiators are expected to agree on a basic framework for a new air-services agreement (ASA) today, in a deal seen as China's boldest step yet towards fully opening its prized aviation sector to foreign competition.

The reciprocal agreement, to give cargo carriers comparatively more new access than passenger airlines, calls for five new carriers to enter the US and mainland markets with the designations phased in over the next six years.

"I don't know if there will be a formal signing of a new ASA [today], but we expect to have a framework in place," said a …