Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said this initiative follows the signing of a protocol on stopover rights which allows flights to make stopovers at any Asean member state.

He said the agreement was reached during the 30th Asean transport ministers’ meeting at a hotel here today.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Loke noted that the current Asean open skies policy stipulates that flights must return to their point of origin after reaching a destination within the region.

“With this protocol, airlines can proceed to another destination within Asean once they have already made a stopover,” he said.

“For example, a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore will be able to continue directly to Bali.”

Loke said Malaysian airlines are in a prime position to benefit from the initiative as local carriers already operate in numerous Asean nations.

However, he did not specify when the policy could be fully implemented as Myanmar and Indonesia have yet to sign the protocol.

Loke said he hoped today’s meeting will help boost connectivity among Asean countries and facilitate passenger and cargo movement.

“We believe we can bring about economic development with good connectivity,” he said.