ABSTRACT
Asian aviation is unique in many ways. Firstly, there is no regional organization looking after the interests of aviation in Asia as a whole. Secondly, international mega-carriers and much smaller international airlines coexist harmoniously without devouring each other. Thirdly, the Asia/Pacific Region has the largest share of the world economy,2 experiencing the highest rate of growth among the regions in the aviation industry. Many Asian airlines reached strategic alliances in 1997, the most noteworthy of them being Japan Airlines with Air France, Singapore Airlines with Air New Zealand and Ansett Australia and Air India with Air France. Separately an ‘Olympic Alliance’ was formed, involving Air New Zealand, United Airlines, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, South African Airways and Lufthansa, to serve as official airlines for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in Australia.3
