Government eyes air talks with other countries

DAVAO CITY – The government is set to hold air talks with more countries this year after a new air transport agreement is forged this week with South Korea.

The new agreement with South Korea is expected to boost the country’s travel industry by increasing the seat entitlements from only 3,400 a week to 19,000 seats for each nation, or a total of 38,000 seats for both countries.

“After Korea, there will be air talks with other countries, but it will depend on the schedule also of the other parties,” Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Undersecretary for Civil Aviation Edward Harun Pagunsan told The STAR.

Pagunsan arrived here to head the Philippine panel in negotiations over the weekend with Korean aviation officials led by Chung Il Young, director general of the Aviation Policy Bureau of the South Korean Ministry of Construction and Transportation.

After South Korea, the Philippines is set to hold air talks this year with officials from the Chinese territory of Macau, Libya, Oman, Singapore, Russia, Palau, Thailand, Malaysia, Canada and Cambodia to forge reciprocal air travel agreements.

The government is working on reforms in the country’s civil aviation sector – including programs that will establish more air links with more countries in an effort to push economic development.

The air talks with other countries will involve discussions on reciprocity and entitlements, such as flight frequency and seat capacity, airline designation and the operation of cargo services.

The air talks were arranged upon the request of local carriers, especially those servicing direct and chartered flights to destinations such as Macau.

Meanwhile, Pagunsan described the new air transport agreement with South Korea as “crucial,” adding that it would be a big loss for the country if the pact is not signed during the negotiations held at the Waterfront Hotel Davao. – Edith Regalado