Sixth-freedom success

What exactly is sixth-freedom traffic and why are some airlines more successful than others?

In aviation terms, the sixth freedom is defined as the carriage of passengers between two nations by the airline of a third country, but via its home base. In other words, passengers who board an Emirates flight in London, transit at Dubai, and carry on to Cape Town would be classified as sixth-freedom travellers. Back when IATA had rigorous control of commercial aviation, the trade body disliked sixth-freedom traffic because it distorted some of its members’ interests by creating unfair advantages for certain carriers. Only since liberalisation of the market with low-cost carriers entering in the mid-1990s has the term become respectable. Sixth freedom benefits travellers and airlines: travellers get more choice and keener fares, while airlines earn extra revenue and support for long-haul networks. Just look at the number of UK points…

You're reading a preview of

Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Edition (Digital) - 1 Issue, September - October 2023

DiscountMags is a licensed distributor (not a publisher) of the above content and Publication through Zinio LLC. Accordingly, we have no editorial control over the Publications. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers or other information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including those made in Publications offered on our website, are those of the respective author(s) or publisher(s) and not of DiscountMags. DiscountMags does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or usefulness of all or any portion of any publication or any services or offers made by third parties, nor will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in any Publication, or your use of services offered, or your acceptance of any offers made through the Service or the Publications. For content removal requests, please contact Zinio.