Philippine carriers are finally allowed to mount more flights to points in Japan

Japan has finally allowed the Philippines to increase direct flights between destinations in both countries.

This after Japan lifted a ban preventing Philippine carriers from mounting additional flights, paving the way for both governments to ink a new air deal on Friday, September 13.

The new air service agreement now allows unlimited flights to any points in the Philippines outside Manila and any destination in Japan except Haneda. Air traffic in both cities are already congested.

The new bilateral deal also increased flights between Manila and Narita to 400 per week from the previous 119, according to Civil Aeronautics Board Carmelo Arcilla's text message to reporters.

It also allowed 14 flights per week between Manila and Haneda.

“This is a major breakthrough, especially since Japan is a major and 3rd biggest tourism market for the Philippines, and also since the last talks was held in 2008," he stressed.

The Philippines has been keen on amending the previous agreement since the entitlements are almost fully utilized, limiting the flights Philippine carriers can mount to Japan.

Japan previously imposed restrictions on Philippine carriers after the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) raised several safety security concerns in 2008.

ICAO said the Philippines is already clear of safety issues way back in February, paving the way for the series of upgrades.

Since then, the CAB had asked both Japan and South Korea to lift their own restrictions.

More direct flights

Japanese officials were reportedly satisfied with the presentation made by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) during the latest visit made by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Arcilla pointed out that the new air agreement would also benefit other airlines as national flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) and budget airline Cebu Air Inc. (Cebu Pacific) currently fly to Japan while Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) operate in the Philippines.

“It is expected that the expanded traffic rights will support the further growth and expansion of d Philippine-Japan market. Currently, PAL and Cebu Pacific operate to Japan and other Philippine carriers are expected to enter the market. For Japan, both JAL and ANA operate today in the Philippines,” the CAB chief said.

The 5th freedom rights remain as previously agreed in 2008. Fifth freedom rights refer to the right to fly passengers to third countries from a country with which an airline's resident country has an outstanding air services agreement.

Cebu Pacific president Lance Gokongwei told reporters that the low cost carrier is also looking at flying to Tokyo and Nagoya as it currently flies three times a week to Osaka.

AirAsia Inc. Philippines chief executive officer Marianne Hontiveros said the low cost carrier and its affiliate Zest Airways Inc. is looking at mounting flights to Japan.

Tiger Airways Philippines. Inc. president Olive Ramos, likewise, also said the newly relaunched airline is also looking at flying to Japan.

This is the 5th air service agreement signed by the Philippines has this year including Italy early this month, Macau last June, Brazil last May, and Australia in April.

President Aquino has signed Executive Order 29 authorizing the CAB and the Philippine air panels to pursue more aggressively the international civil aviation liberalization policy.

Open skies

Cebu Pacific earlier urged the Aquino administration to adopt an “Open Skies” policy between the Philippines and Japan to benefit local tourism and trade as there are about 350,000 Filipinos working and living in Japan.

“This is one of most liberal increases that we have concluded so far, made possible by the current liberal aviation policies of both the Philippines and Japan,” Arcilla explained.

Japan, once one of the most protective aviation sectors in the world, has signed Open Skies agreements with countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, France, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, US, Canada, and Mexico

Source:-
http://www.rappler.com/business/indu...direct-flights