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LOCAL
airlines can now mount flights to Hong Kong from Clark
and other points in the country, the Philippine air
panel announced Thursday.
This,
after air services agreement (ASA) between the
Philippines and Hong Kong was amended during the two-day
air talks held in Clark, Pampanga, the Department of
Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said in a
statement.
Under
the new air pact, Philippine carriers can fill up to
15,000 seats per week for flights to Hong Kong from the
Ninoy Aquino International Airport, up to 6,300 weekly
seats for Clark to Hong Kong flights; and up to 2,500
seats per week from Cebu and other airports outside of
Manila. This totals 23,800 seat entitlements per week
for each said.
Both
panels have agreed to increase seat entitlements for
both countries in the midst of the vibrant aviation
industries in the Philippines and Hong Kong.
Previously, seat entitlements between Manila and Hong
Kong stood at 13,000 per week. For Cebu to Hong Kong
flights, only 2,300 passengers per week were allowed.
There were also no flights from Clark and other
remaining airports then.
Clark
International Airport Corp. president Victor Jose
Luciano said in a separate statement that the 6,300 seat
entitlements per week for Clark translate to 35 flights,
or around 5 flights per day.
Luciano
said the thousands of OFWs based in Hong Kong will
benefit as a result of the fruitful RP-HK air talks.
For air
cargo, the new ASA allows up to 400 tons per week from
the previous 300 tons for Manila to Hong Kong route. For
Clark to Hong Kong, both countries agreed on 1,400 tons
weekly.
“The
increase in RP-Hong Kong air capacity answers the
challenge of air congestion for this route in Manila.
This is good news for the travelers and other
stakeholders for they now have more options to fly this
route. It will also boost tourism and other related
businesses,” said panel chairman Doroteo Reyes II.
Civil
Aviation Board (CAB) executive director Carmello Arcilla
served as vice chairman of the negotiating panel.
The
panel is composed of officials from the DOTC, Department
of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, Department of
Trade and Industry, CAB and representatives from the
airline companies.
Principal Assistant Secretary for Hong Kong Transport
and Housing Bureau Francis Cheng led the 14-man delegate
of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
This is
the country’s third successful air pact since the start
of the year.
In May
the country’s air panel was granted two more passenger
flight entitlements to Vancouver in Canada.
The
additional entitlements will help Philippine Airlines
mount more flights and eventually operate to the East
Coast, and even possibly revive its San Diego route.
“This will allow us flexibility so that we may service
other destinations,” PAL president Jaime Bautista said.
Early
this month, the Philippines also secured 32 flights per
week, eight of which went to Clark, during the concluded
RP-Cambodia Air talks held in Manila.
The
Philippines and Hong Kong air panels met on October 2,
1996, where a confidential memorandum of understanding
was signed.
“It
really manifests the good intentions of both parties to
really develop each abilities in civil aviation and
indicating an intention to enrich the region and to
participate in globalization,” Reyes said.
For his
part, Cheng of the Hong Kong air panel said, “both
countries have shown a sincere commitment to expanding
more opportunities for the aviation industry that would
attract more liberal flights.”
Cheng
also revealed that Hong Kong Airlines has expressed
intention to mount flights at the Diosdado Macapagal
International Airport in Clark Freeport Zone.
However,
Reyes said the issue on the Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights
to the USA, Canada and Europe will be discussed in the
next round of talks. Philippines Airlines, the nation’s
flag carrier, is pushing for Fifth Freedom Air Traffic
Rights.
Cebu
Pacific Airways also plans to mount flights via Clark to
Hong Kong following the agreement reached at the two-day
air talks. |
