AIRLINES

Asian Carriers to Defend Turf: Top Asian airline executives have agreed to combine forces to fight agreements giving the United States and Europe favorable air traffic rights. The Asian executives oppose a series of longstanding pacts with the United States under which American travelers can visit every major Asian business center without flying an Asian airline. No similar rights exist for Asian airlines. Cheong Choong Kong, president of the Orient Airlines Assn., noted that Asia is the world’s fastest-growing air travel market and demanded that Asia be given equal opportunity in the market. The group also opposes a common international aviation policy proposed by the European Union. The association represents 15 Asian and South Pacific airlines, including Japan Air Lines, Thai Airways and Qantas of Australia.