P-Noy signs EO on 'pocket open skies'

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has signed an executive order liberalizing Philippine aviation by easing restrictions on foreign airlines in select international airports outside Metro Manila.

The new EO authorities Philippines Air Panels to offer and promote “third, fourth, and fifth freedom rights to the country’s airports other than the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) without restriction as to frequency, capacity and type of aircraft, and other arrangements” that will serve the national interest as may be determined by the Civil Aeronautics Board.

It said that, notwithstanding the provisions of the relevant air services agreements, the CAB may grant any foreign air carriers increases in frequencies and/or capacities in the country’s airports other than the NAIA, subject to the conditions required by existing laws, rules and regulations.

It also noted that the CAB cannot grant any foreign air carrier Cabotage traffic rights or the right to transport passengers and goods between two or more points within the Philippines.

Aquino earlier said the new EO will give teeth to EO 219 signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos in January 1995 that set the framework for opening up the country’s civil aviation sector.

Under EO 28, the Philippine Air Negotiating Panel will be responsible for the initial negotiations leading to the conclusion of relevant air services agreements. The chairman will be the secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs or his duly authorized representative while the members will be secretaries of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Transportation and Communications, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Tourism and the executive director of the CAB or their duly authorized representatives.

The designated official air carriers of the Philippines may participate in the proceedings as observers.

The Philippine Air Consultation Panel will be responsible for the succeeding negotiations of these ASAs or similar arrangements. It will be composed of the DOTC secretary as chairman or his duly authorized representative, the CAB executive director as vice chairman and the secretaries of the DTI, DOT, DFA and DOLE or their respective duly authorized representatives as members.

The chairman of the consultation panel may designate other parties as observers but may appoint additional members to the consultation panel only with the approval of the President or the executive secretary. Designated air carriers of the Philippines may participate in the proceedings as observers only. 

Under EO 29, the President cited the need to promote domestic tourism by providing travelers more and varied choices of access to the Philippines through improved and increased aviation services.