PH finally inks Asean pact on air services

THE Philippines has finally agreed to key air transport liberalization agreements with its Association of Southeast Nations (Asean) neighbors, paving the way for increased travel and trade within the region, and possibly cheaper flights.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said in a statement on Sunday that President Aquino signed Protocols 5 and 6 of the Asean Multilateral Agreement in Air Services, or MAAS, last Feb. 3, 2016.

With the signing, Philippine air carriers will be allowed to fly “unlimited frequencies to and beyond the capital cities” of the Asean.  This, the department said, will lead to better and more efficient connectivity and translate to more competitive fares and services.

As the next step, the DOTC and the Civil Aeronautics Board will assist Philippine air carriers in securing additional flight schedules with each of the nine other member States of the Asean.

The Philippines targets to have new flights operational within the next six months.

“We expect it to benefit our local tourism and service industries, as the agreement allows foreign airlines to increase their flights to Manila and other cities,” Transportation secretary Joseph Abaya said in the statement.

“Just as it will encourage more visitors to come to the country, Filipinos will also enjoy a wider array of flight options and ticket prices to the rest of the Asean,” he added.

The agreement likewise increases mobility of Filipino enterprises looking outside the country for expansion. It also opens doors for individuals, such as students and professionals, seeking opportunities within Asean.

The MAAS is part of the Asean’s Roadmap for Integration of Air Transportation Services. The roadmap lays down the foundation for the envisioned Asean Single Aviation Market, which is expected foster seamless connectivity within the region.

Delays in the signing of the said protocols were earlier credited to limited slots in Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which suffers from congestion amid growing air and passenger traffic and limited expansion space.

The DOTC has been moving to address this. It announced in September 2015 that it signed a contract with British firm NATS to increase runway utilization at Naia by about 50 percent over a 12-month period.

NATS provides air traffic navigation services to the world’s busiest single- and dual-runway airports: London Gatwick handles 53 air traffic movements per hour and over 250,000 flights per year; and London Heathrow handles 90 movements per hour and over 470,000 flights per year.

Naia at the time the contract was signed, handled 40 takeoff and landing movements per hour. Passenger congestion, however, remains an issue, which is why the DOTC tapped the Japan International Cooperation Agency to asses a new site for an international gateway serving Metro Manila.

The DOTC earlier signaled that the most viable location for the new airport would be in Sangley Point, Cavite.