U.S.-ARGENTINA AIR PACT OPENS CARGO MARKET

   All-cargo carriers from the U.S. and Argentina will have immediate,
unlimited access to each other’s aviation markets following an agreement
reached by U.S. and Argentine regulators last week.
   According to the "open skies" agreement signed in Buenos Aires on
Thursday, U.S. and Argentina have pledged to fully liberalize their
respective aviation markets by June 2003. Limitations on cargo service have been abolished completely, while additional passenger rights will be phased in.
   Each country may add seven additional weekly passenger flights beginning in September this year, another seven on June 1, 2001, and June 1, 2002. Currently, both sides are limited to 42 weekly flights based on the capacity of a B747.
   The agreement also provides U.S. and Argentine carriers the right to
operate code-share service with each other and with the airlines of third
countries between the U.S. and Argentina, as well as to and from third
countries. Charter operators also gain additional rights.