Philippines expands air service pact with India

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine air panel has renegotiated an air service agreement with India which calls for more weekly flights between the two countries.

In a statement, the Department of Transportation said the new pact now allow for 28 flights from various points in one country in addition to three other major cities.

The air services agreement with India previously allowed only seven weekly flights between the two countries.

For Philippine carriers, this means points in the Philippines to New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, while India has yet to nominate three other major cities aside from Manila that will be flown to by Indian carriers.

“Philippine carriers will also be allowed unlimited flights between any Philippine gateway and 18 other destinations in India, “the DOTr said.

Meanwhile, the two parties also retained Bangkok as a midway point for carriers of both sides, with the possibility of disembarking and taking on passengers not originating from or destined for their own territories (called a 5th Freedom operation in aviation law).

The new accord likewise now allows the operation of third-country carriers on behalf of the parties’ carriers as long as the former has the route and traffic rights through their own countries granted under agreements with India and the Philippines.

Also, a more liberal cargo provision is included in the new package of air rights.

These arrangements are seen to boost trade and tourism between the two countries.

The potential of the Indian market is driven by its large population, being the second populous country after China and sixth largest economy worldwide.

President Duterte likewise affirmed the importance of India in the Philippines’ developmental crosshairs, making the January ASEAN-Indian summit in Delhi a working visit as well.

The Philippines earlier expanded air service agreements with Papua New Guinea and Switzerland.