Phl, Macau ink air pact

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines and Macau yesterday inked a new air services agreement to increase flight entitlements for both countries as part of the government’s efforts to lure more tourists and investors in the country.

Carmelo Arcilla, executive director of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), said in a text message that the Philippines and Macau yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding on air services.

Under the pact, Arcilla said both countries agreed to increase the current seat entitlements between Manila and Macao to 4,500 per week from 3,500 per week.

He added that the agreement also calls for unlimited seats between Macao and  all international airports in the Philippines except Manila in accordance with EO 29.

Under the old MOU, seat entitlements between Macao and other points outside Manila were limited to 10,000 seats.

“Macao is a small but key and important market for d Philippines  being a gateway to Hong Kong and China,” Arcilla said.

He also added that the agreement would benefit about 17,000 Filipinos working in Macao.

This is the third air agreement signed by the Philippines after Brazil last month and Australia in April.

Last month, The Philippines and Brazil have inked an agreement on air services yesterday to further boost travel between Manila and Sao Paolo.

The agreement allowed seven flights for the Philippine designated carriers and seven flights for airlines designated by Brazil.

The pact allowed seven flights between Manila and Brazil, with fifth freedom traffic rights to any third country points. In addition it allows for unlimited traffic rights between Brazil and other gateways in the Philippines except Manila, also with fifth freedom to any third country points.

The fifth freedom rights give airlines the right to fly passengers to third countries from a country with which its resident country has an outstanding ASA.