A review of the governance challenges in the regional integration of the ASEAN Single Aviation Market

Purpose This article aims to critically examine the governance challenges in the ASEAN Single Aviation Market (ASAM) at policy and operational levels. Design/methodology/approach An integrative review framework was adopted to synthesise diverse sources, including academic literature and policy documents. The data were examined through qualitative document analysis with content analysis and thematic coding to identify obstacles in implementing ASAM. Findings While ASAM has advanced aviation connectivity and liberalisation in ASEAN, the findings reveal that governance limitations, particularly the absence of a supranational authority, have created uneven outcomes in the region. At the policy level, ASAM is impacted by the protection of national carriers, foreign investment control, and divergent competition policies; while at the operational level, key challenges include gaps in operational and safety oversight as well as in slot coordination, which collectively limit the extent to which ASAM is effectively leveraged. Originality/value This study provides a holistic synthesis of the institutional and regulatory challenges shaping ASEAN’s aviation integration, contributing to academic literature by identifying the impact of governance structure on ASAM’s implementation and offering practical considerations for industry players to realise its full potential.