PAL awaits CAB go signal to double Canada flights

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Airlines (PAL) will be flying more frequently to Canada if it gets the go signal of the Civil Aeronautics Board.

PAL currently flies to Canada 7 times a week via Vancouver and Toronto. Last May 28, the Philippines and Canada signed an air service agreement increasing the number of flights between the two countries to 14, or double the frequency.

“With the successful conclusion of the government-to-government air talks, we look forward to flying twice daily to Canada and offering our passengers greater flexibility and choice,” said PAL president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang.

The air service agreement also increased 5th freedom rights between the Philippines and Canada to 5 per week from 4 per week. Fifth freedom allows an airline company to fly passengers to a 3rd country from a country where it has an existing air service agreement.

Aside from increased frequency and rights, the Philippines and Canada also agreed on a 3rd country code-sharing. This enables an airline company to market indirect services between two countries through cooperative agreements with airlines in other countries.

Tourism target

The agreement with Canada was the 5th such agreement entered into by the Philippine Air negotiating panel this year. It finalized agreements with France last January, Singapore last February, New Zealand last March and Myanmar last May.

The panel was supposed to hold talks with Malaysia last April 3 and 4 but these were called off because Kuala Lumpur officials were busy with the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight No. MH370. 

In 2013, the Philippines signed air agreements with Australia, Italy, Brazil, Japan, Macau and Israel.

By entering into more air agreements with other countries, the Philippine government hopes to reach its target of attracting 10 million tourists by 2016. – Rappler.com