Aviation authority assures protection for local airlines

CEBU, Philippines - The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) assured local carriers that the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), and other government agencies tasked to attend to air negotiations will not neglect the needs of local carriers, following the implementation of the mini “Open Skies” policy.

CAAP former director Alfonso Cusi, and former general manager of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, made this announcement during the recently concluded 21st Tourism Congress in Cebu.

Cusi said that the Philippines can cancel any air agreement if it affects national interest.

During the Congress, local carriers expressed their apprehensions that foreign carriers coming would spell the death of the local airline industry.

They want to make sure that foreign-owned airlines that operate in the Philippines will also allow them to offer flights to these countries.

Also in the same event, local tourism players stressed the issue of reciprocity if the government fully implements a liberalized air policy allowing more foreign carriers to operate in the Philippines.

While the Philippines is seen to have the potential in attracting foreign tourists, and can be one of the preferred travel destinations in Asia, Cathay Pacific Airways country manager Camilla Taylor said that the country has the most expensive destinations for international airlines.

“The Philippines imposes a heavy tax burden on foreign carriers that want to offer flights to the country,” said Cathay Pacific Airways Country Manager Camilla Taylor during the 21st Tourism Congress held here recently.

Taylor made this comment during a discussion with tourism stakeholders here on the government’s adoption of a liberalized air policy.

She said that foreign airlines have to shoulder the overtime pay for customs, immigration and quarantine personnel if they want their own passengers to complete their travel processes immediately.

“If the Philippines wants entry of more foreign airlines that will also offer flights to Cebu and other key destinations, then stakeholders must address airport congestion,” Taylor said.

“These issues stand in the way. If you want to invite international carriers, you have to make the space available,” Taylor suggested.

On the other hand, Department of Tourism (DOT) assistant secretary Benito C. Bengzon, Jr. announced earlier that several foreign airline companies are now looking at possibilities to open up direct flights specifically from Cebu.

Bengzon said this is already the immediate effect of the newly implemented “Open Skies” policy by President Benigno Aquino III administration.

“We have sounded them off [foreign airlines] already, inviting them to fly to secondary destinations, like Cebu within the framework of the EO [Executive Order],” said Bengzon in an interview.

On March 14, 2011 Aquino signed the EO 29 which authorizes the air panels and the Civil Aeronautics Board to pursue more aggressively the international civil aviation liberalization policy in secondary gateways. (FREEMAN)