PAL plans more flights to Canada

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines plans to increase flights to Canada after recent air talks paved the way for increased flights between both countries.

Civil Aeronautics Board executive director Carmelo Arcilla said Thursday that the Philippine and Canadian delegations had signed a new air deal to increase flight entitlements for each side, from seven flights per week to 14 flights a week.

The deal, which was forged following talks that ran from May 27 to 28, replaces the existing Phil-Canada Air Services Agreement, that was last amended in December 2008.

Philippine Airlines president Ramon Ang said in a text message that the carrier planned to increase flights to Canada but he did not elaborate.

Philippine Airlines is the only domestic carrier flying there, with seven weekly flights to Vancouver and Toronto.

The parties also agreed to allow the airlines of both sides to enter into third country code sharing.

Arcilla had noted that Canada was a “very strong” market for the Philippines, with about 800,000 Filipinos residing there.

The Philippines also recently closed an air deal with Burma (Myanmar), paving the way for direct flights between both countries.

The new memorandum  allows a total of 3,780 seats, or three flights per week, between Manila and Burma.

The parties also agreed to unlimited traffic rights between all points in the Philippines, except Manila, and all points in Burma.

Talks with casino hub Macau are next and are scheduled from  June 17 to 18.

Expanding existing air service agreements with other countries was a key component in the government’s drive to draw more tourists to the Philippines.

The Philippines was also looking to hold talks with South Korea, Russia and African countries like Ethiopia, South Africa and Kenya, Arcilla had said in a previous interview.