RP slams Taiwan's 'arrogance' in air talks

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) denounced yesterday Taiwan's "arrogant attitude" after its representative failed to show up for scheduled talks aimed at resolving an aviation dispute.

"We fail to see how snubbing the talks would be beneficial to anyone on either side, for it only leaves the problems to fester unresolved," said CAB executive director Guia Martinez.

"We are truly saddened by Taiwan's seemingly disdainful and arrogant attitude towards us, which can only worsen our differences," she said in a statement.

Martinez said the talks were supposed to have started in Manila on Wednesday. The new talks, aimed at concluding a new permanent air services accord, was a key provision in an interim agreement signed last Jan. 28 that ended a four-month suspension of direct flights.

The interim pact also reduced the number of passengers their respective airlines can ferry from 9,600 to 4,800.

The CAB berated Taiwan for reducing the number of Philippine Airlines (PAL) weekly flights to Taipei from seven to four, which also sparked a strong protest from the Filipino flag-carrier.

Taiwanese carriers China Airlines and EVA Air are allowed 17 flights to the Philippines each week.

Taiwan has said their move was in retaliation for the CAB's failure to act on an application by China Airlies to service the Manila-Kaohsiung route.

But the CAB said allowing Taiwan to ply the route would lead to an excess in the 4,800 passenger limit.

Taiwan officials insist that the 4,800 was only for Manila-Taipei flights.

"The Taiwanese action has no legal or moral basis. Simple reciprocity demands that PAL be allowed to operate its full share of flights under the agreement," Martinez said.