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US-Australia to start open-skies talks
CANBERRA, Jan 2 (WorldACD) - Australia and the United States will start talks on an open-skies aviation deal within the next six weeks to open up the lucrative trans-Pacific route between the two countries, Australia's government said on Wednesday.
Transport Minister Anthony Albanese gave approval for formal talks to start in Washington next month, in a move which could see more U.S. carriers fly to Australia via ports in Asia, such as Tokyo.
A spokesman for Albanese said the meetings would be held from February 12-14.
A deal could clear the way for Australian airline Virgin Blue to begin flights to the United States on its carrier V Australia by the end of this year, edging open one of the world's most lucrative and protected long-haul routes.
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