MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines has signed a new air service agreement with Hong Kong amid a territorial dispute with China to increase the weekly seating capacity.
The new agreement will allow 30,000 seats per week from the current capacity of 15,000 per week in efforts to accommodate growing air traffic in the two regions.
“It is hoped that the new agreement will usher in a new era of growth in the bilateral aviation relationship between the Philippines and Hong Kong, especially that the irritants that stood in the way of growth have simmered down,” Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) executive director Carmelo Arcilla said.
The last air talks between Philippine and Hong Kong were held in 2008.
Both countries also agreed on an unlimited capacity in all international airports in the Philippines excluding the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The previous agreement only allowed 4,300 weekly seats to Clark, said Arcilla.
The new agreement with Hong Kong is the Philippines’ 9th air services agreement signed this year, after successful air pacts with Canada, Macau, France, Singapore, Ethiopia, South Africa, Myanmar, and New Zealand.
Arcilla said the Philippine air negotiating panel is set to hold air talks with Malaysia and Australia before the end of the year.
0 comments: