Airlines seek more flights to South Korea

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific and Philippines AirAsia Inc. are seeking entitlements for flights to South Korea.

The three carriers filed with the Civil Aeronautics Board an application for allocation of entitlements to South Korea from Manila.

The applications were filed for entitlements under the confidential memorandum of agreement between the Philippines and South Korea.

In November last year, the Philippines and South Korea signed a new air services agreement.

Under the agreement, all Philippine carriers authorized to operate between Manila and all international airports in South Korea can use a combined total of 20,000 seats per week from 13,500 per week.

The same number of 20,000 seats per week is likewise available for all Korean carriers authorized to operate between Manila and all international airports in South Korea.

The expanded air traffic rights under the agreement are intended to address the higher demand for air services between Manila and South Korea.

At present, PAL, Cebu Pacific and Philippines AirAsia operate flights between the Philippines and South Korea.

South Korea is the biggest source of foreign tourists to the Philippines.

Data from the Department of Tourism showed South Korea remained the country’s top source market of foreign tourists, accounting for 1.607 million last year.