Philippines up for more bilateral air talks

MANILA, Philippines – The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) is seeking air talks with other countries to boost tourism.

Although exact dates are still tentative due to the ongoing transition in government, CAB Legal Division chief Wyrlou Samodio told The STAR they are set to hold bilateral air talks with Indonesia, Uzbekistan, India, Seychelles, Morocco and Kenya.

“These are tentative, no formal communication yet and are still subject to changes because it will depend on the next administration. We don’t know yet if they want or will approve these countries,” Samodio said.

Last year, the Philippines entered into12 air talks, with Korea being the last in November.

Latest data from the Department of Tourism showed arrivals from India, the Philippines’ biggest market in South Asia, reached 22,121 in the first quarter or an increase of 24 percent from a year ago.

Indonesia, the country’s third biggest market in ASEAN, contributed 12,850 visitors or nine percent higher year on year.

On the other hand, Uzbekistan, Seychelles, Morocco and Kenya have no exact arrival figures and belong to the measly one percent unspecified residences category of the DOT.

DOT earlier said it would focus on niche and emerging markets to further spur tourism growth.

CAB, meanwhile, has yet to meet with incoming Transportation and Communications Secretary Arturo Tugade regarding the agency’s programs.

“No communication yet. But we will present ongoing projects and programs and hopefully they can continue these like the Air Passenger Bill of Rights,” Samodio said.

CAB is also eyeing an increase in its 2017 budget to P120 million, up 20 percent from the P100 million allocated this year.

“We hope to have an increase in budget to hire more people and deploy them to different airports. We also hope that the next administration will increase the presence of CAB in all airports,” he said.