Air negotiations between PH and HK set for October

MANILA – In a bid to establish a greater freedom in air traffic rights with the Chinese territory, the Philippines is seeking for a more extensive air-services agreement with Hong Kong

For this reason, a two-day negotiation will be held in October, with hopes of a greater number of seat entitlements to the Chinese territory, according to Aeronautics Board Executive Director Carmelo L. Arcilla.

“[Hong Kong] is the No. 1 destination for [the country’s] outbound traffic. The market is mostly Filipino leisure travelers,” he said, speaking to reporters from the Business Mirror.

Although Arcilla did not elaborate on details of the current air-services deal with Hong Kong, he disclosed that “it is one of the largest allocations we have.”

The country’s aeronautics board has already negotiated additional flights with six nations; specifically, Macau, Canada, Myanmar, New Zealand, Singapore and France.

Additional flight allotments translate to increased profitability in the trade and tourism industries, bringing the government closer to its target of $4.6 billion in tourism revenues, and an increase in tourism influx to 6 million people by the end of the Aquino administration.