SINGAPORE, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Aviation Leadership Summit opens here on Monday to discuss on the lessons learnt from the recent economic crisis and ways to forge ahead for a better tomorrow for the aviation industry.

Addressing more than 250 participants at the summit, Singapore' s Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Raymond Lim noted that it is important to upgrade the current aviation system, from focusing on the hardware to one that focuses on the enhancement of software.

"Leveraging the know-how to create new and better intangibles in order to ensure that the aviation industry remains attractive and relevant to changing needs of travelers is key to ensuring sustainability and profitability," Lim said.

Speaking to high-level officials from transport ministries, regulators, airports, airlines and key aviation stakeholders, Lim also said that a more open aviation regime would bode well for the aviation industry as it allows airlines to freely compete as a normal business and to respond to the needs of the markets.

He said that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is in negotiation with China to establish a liberal air services regime between China and all the ASEAN countries collectively, which is expected to be concluded this year.

Lim added that countries could work together on the implementation of aviation security measures to improve security screening while upholding passenger facilitation and efficiency. He also urged industry players to play their role to enure that the air traffic flight profiles are optimal, thus ensuring efficient fuel consumption and minimizing carbon emissions.

The Aviation Leadership Summit is in conjunction with the Singapore Airshow, which will be held here from Feb. 2 to 7.