The Philippines and Hong Kong have concluded negotiations for an increase in the number of flights between them.

Civil Aeronautics Board executive director Carmelo Arcilla told InterAksyon.com that both parties today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on air services, expanding the capacity between Manila and Hong Kong from 15,000 seats per week to 30,000.

The two-day air talks were held in Hong Kong.

"We also agreed on unlimited capacity in all international airports in the Philippines outside Manila, in accordance with Executive Order No. 29. The previous agreement only allowed 4,300 seats per week to Clark," Arcilla said.

The last air talks between the Philippines and Hong Kong were held in 2008.

"It is hoped that the new agreement will usher in a new era of growth in the bilateral aviation relationship between the Philippines and Hong Kong, especially that the irritants that stood in the way of growth have simmered down," Arcilla said.

Data from the Department of Tourism show that visitors from Hong Kong fell by 12.4 percent to 67,034 last year from 76,555 in 2012.

The Aquino administration is pursuing more air talks as part of its open skies policy, which aims to double tourist arrivals to 10 million by 2016. Last year, tourist arrivals grew by 9.56 percent year-on-year to 4.68 million.

For 2014, the Philippines is aiming for 5.4 million international tourist arrivals.

Since the start of this year, the Philippines concluded air negotiations with Ethiopia, South Africa, Macau, Canada, Myanmar, New Zealand, Singapore and France.

In 2013, the Philippine air panel concluded air negotiations with Macau, Brazil, Israel, Italy and Japan.

The Philippine Air Services Negotiating Panel is composed of officials from the CAB, Departments of Transportation and Communications, of Foreign Affairs, and of Tourism (DOT), as well as from the Clark International Airport Corp and representatives of local airlines.

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