PH aims to hold air talks with 3 countries in Q1

THE PHILIPPINES is looking at holding air talks with at least three countries this quarter, including Australia, where earlier discussions bogged down because of disagreements over certain rights.

Civil Aeronautics Board executive director Carmelo Arcilla said talks with the target countries, which also include Oman in the Middle East and Singapore, were aimed at increasing flights given growing demand for air travel.

“The talks should begin by February although we still have to confirm the specific dates,” Arcilla said in an interview.

Talks with Australia, in particular, would be a boon to the more than 390,000 Filipinos living or working in the island continent, according to data from Commission on Filipinos Overseas. Starting last year, Cebu Pacific started mounting flights from Manila to Australia, joining flag carrier Philippine Airlines.

Talks between the Philippines and Australia were last held in 2013. At the time, the two countries failed to reach an agreement due to “outstanding issues,” including the so-called fifth freedom rights.

Singapore, which last held talks with the Philippines in 2014, is also a big market for Filipinos overseas while Oman presents growth opportunities. Oman Air officials last year told local media that they were seeking an increase to the thrice weekly Manila-Muscat route to a daily flight.

These developments underscored the need for expanded air deals amid expectations that global aviation would remain strong this year with global oil prices falling, according to Moody’s Investors Service. Demand for air travel has been boosted in recent years by no-frills budget airlines.