The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) said “air talks” between the two countries will start on April 18-19 in Australia. The scheduled negotiations are expected to build upon Australia's earlier commitment to grant an additional 3,000 seat entitlements per week to Philippine airlines.
Carmelo Arcilla, CAB executive director, had said Cebu Pacific and Zest Airways requested for the additional 3,000 seats. At present, only Philippine Airlines flies to Australia.
The negotiations also aim to bridge a disagreement between the two countries on the mechanics of fifth freedom rights in talks held in August last year. Fifth freedom refers to the right to fly passengers to third countries from a country with which an airline's home-country has an outstanding air services agreement.
Besides Australia, the Philippine air panel is looking at major markets such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Europe, Canada and China to meet the Aquino administration’s 5.5 million tourist arrivals target this year. The 2013 goal is roughly a quarter higher than last year's 4.3 million.
source: interaksyon.com
