More flights to South Korea proposed

The Philippine government has asked for talks with the government of South Korea to seek additional capacity between the two countries during the resumption of bilateral air talks this week, to meet rising demand and promote tourism.

Cebu Pacific vice president Peggy Vera said that more flights will mean more tourists, and South Koreans now rank third after the US and Japan in terms of visitors to the Philippines.

"That means more jobs and foreign exchange revenues for the Philippines. More flights would also allow passengers a wider choice on when and which carrier to fly," she said.

"Whatever formula for entitlement is followed, either using seats or frequencies, the end result should be more flights because that is what is good for the country, the airlines, and the public in general," Vera said.

Cebu Pacific flies three times weekly to South Korea but puts in extra flights to meet demand, and these need approvals from authorities every time. Philippine Airlines flies 14 times weekly on a regular basis, but also puts in extra section flights.

On the other hand, Korea Air and Asiana, both Korean carriers, also exceed their total current capacity of 17 weekly flights by mounting extra section flights and charters.

"Tourist arrivals from South Korea have been growing steadily, and even during the height of the SARS period, they continued to come," Vera said.

"It was the South Koreans who also carried the day for the Philippines when the whole world was reading about our problems in the country. They were not deterred by any of the negative publicity about the Philippines. And they will continue to come through for us if only more flights will be offered," she said.