Phl, Canada ink new air pact

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines and Canada signed a new air agreement that will double the number of flights between the two trading partners to boost investments and tourism, a ranking official of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) said.

CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla said the new agreement was signed Wednesday, amending the existing Philippines-Canada Air Services Agreement dating back to December 2008.

“The new agreement increased the frequency entitlement for each side from seven flights a week to 14,” Arcilla stressed.

He added that both countries also agreed to increase fifth freedom rights from four to five per week and to allow airlines from the Philippines and Canada to enter into third-country code sharing.

Fifth freedom rights allow airlines from a resident country to fly passengers to third countries from a country where it has an existing air services agreement.

On the other hand, third-country code sharing allows airlines to market indirect services between two countries via cooperative agreements with third-country airlines.