PH pursues air talks with France, Italy

Rappler.com

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Air agreements have been slated for discussion between the Aquino administration and European nations

 BAN LIFTED. Philippine Airlines may now fly into European airspace after the 28-nation bloc partially lifted a ban imposed against the Philippines. File photo by AFP/Jay Directo

MANILA, Philippines – Air agreements have been slated for discussion between the Aquino administration and European nations barely a month after the European Union (EU) lifted the 3-year old ban preventing Philippine carriers from entering European airspace.

In a text message to reporters, Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) Director Carmelo Arcilla has confirmed that air talks have been scheduled with Italy on September 4 and 5, and France in early 2014.

Governments engage in bilateral air talks to negotiate on destinations covered in each country, frequency of flights, among other details. After an agreement is reached, each government awards entitlements to their commercial airlines.  

Legacy carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) plans to resume operations in the European market where it used to hold direct flights until the 1990s. 

On July 10, EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux announced the partial lifting of the ban that was imposed in 2010 affecting all airlines from the Philippines, allowing PAL to fly to the 28-member bloc. 

The EU said in a statement that it was impressed by the efforts of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and PAL to enhance safety oversight. Other airlines keen on mounting flights to EU, including Cebu Pacific, have to comply with EU’s aviation safety regulations before they are allowed.

Read: EU allows PAL flights to Europe

Following the EU lifting, PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon Ang said that the airline is planning to mount flights to EU destinations starting September or October.

Ang said the return of PAL to international routes in Europe including London, Paris, Rome, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Madrid has been much-awaited, and PAL has been all-out in preparing for this westward expansion.

“When we fly back to Europe after an absence of 15 years, we can boast of a newer fleet of aircraft and top quality customer service. More than providing Filipinos living and working in Europe with the most direct link to Manila, we hope to bring the best of the Philippines to Europe and the best of Europe to the Philippines,” Ang said. 

‘Pocket-open skies policy’

Meanwhile, while the talks are “expected to expand existing traffic rights to Europe to give more room for expanded operations,” Arcilla added that “they will also pave the way for other Philippine carriers to eventually compete in the European market.”

The government has implemented the “pocket-open skies policy” under President Aquino, which spans air talks in 2011 that have succeeded (Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka and Vietnam) and those inconclusive, with Indonesia and Taiwan.

With the signing of Executive Order 29, the Philippine Air Panel is decreed to further more aggressive talks involving the international civil liberalization  policy.

The Philippine Air Panel includes CAB, Department of Transportation and Communication, Department of Tourism, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Labor and Employment. – Rappler.com

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