CAB clears direct flights to Israel

Direct flights to Israel are now possible again after the Philippines’ Civil Aeronautics Board Friday concluded a successful round of air talks resulting in 21 weekly flights to any point between the two countries, a government official said.

CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla said in a text message that the deal would replace the previous air service agreement sealed in 1951. Details on the previous number of entitlements could not be determined, he said, “but presumably it is a very low number that was common during that time.”

Arcilla said only flag carrier Philippine Airlines was looking to utilize flights to Israel, for now. He said this option was nevertheless open to other carriers like Cebu Pacific Air, which last month launched its first long-haul service to Dubai.

Philippine Airlines previously flew to Israel in the 1950s and 1960s, he said.

The air talks also included so-called fifth freedom flights per week on one intermediate point in Mumbai, India and another in Madrid, Spain.

“This means that [Philippine Airlines] can fly to India, unload and pick up passengers and proceed to Isreal, or unload and pick up in Israel and proceed to Madrid,” Arcilla said.

“We also agreed on co-terminal and stopover rights to any third country for the 21 flights. This means that a Philippine carrier can bring passengers to Tel Aviv and proceed to, say, Rome. Or bring passengers to Tel Aviv, and pick them up again after several days for onward travel to, say, Rome.”

Philippine Airlines was earlier allowed by the European Union to fly to the continent. Cebu Pacific said it was also seeking approval to fly to Europe.

Arcilla said the next air talks have been set with Russia on Nov. 12.

The CAB is also looking to hold talks with New Zealand, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa, although final schedules have yet to be set.