Philippines adopts "pocket open skies" policy

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported on 18 March 2011 that President Aquino of the Philippines had signed two Executive Orders, EO28 and EO29 (both are dated 14 March 2011), changing responsibilities for negotiating new air services agreements and subsequent amendments, and adopting an open skies policy with respect to all international airports except that at Manila (NAIA)(see previous post).

More on the Philippines "open skies" debate

The President of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino, was reported by the Cebu Daily News on 11 November 2010 as talking about the potential benefits of his country adopting an "open skies" policy (see previous post). Quite what "pocket-sized open skies" would mean though is not clear.

Back on 11 September 2010 GMANews.TV reported on an interesting twist. It quotes a Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) official as saying that the Philippines Constitution requires that any such trade deal be reciprocal.

ASEAN-China air transport agreement close?

On 29 October 2010 Channel News Asia reported from Hanoi comments by Singapore's Prime Minister Lee that he expected an ASEAN-China Air Transport Agreement to be concluded next month.

Lee also suggested that ASEAN should be pushing for 'open skies' within the ASEAN region. On 27 April 2010 the Business Mirror reported comments from a Philippines official that only one unnamed country had yet to agree to a Multilateral Agreement for the Full Liberalisation of Passenger Air Services (MAFLPAS).

ASEAN already has a 2009 Multilateral Agreement on Air Services, which allows unlimited flights between capital cities by the airlines of member states, and a 2009 Multilateral Agreement on the Full Liberalisation of Air Freight Services.

"Open skies" policy debated in the Philippines

The possibility of the Philippines adopting an "open skies" policy continues to be discussed with the Manila Standard reporting on 21 October 2010 that an Executive Order has been drafted.

On 23 October 2010 The Manila Bulletin carried a report with comments from the Speaker, Feliciano Belmonte Jr., who emphasised the need to improve air transport infrastructure.

On 24 October 2010 BusinessWorld reported that there was support for adopting an "open skies" policy from key Cabinet members.

Tax dispute may see more foreign airlines pulling long-haul services from the Philippines

A 13 October 2010 weblog posting from The Exciting World of Philippine Aviation reported on a dispute between some foreign airlines and the Philippines government over the imposition of a value added tax. On 5 October 2010 the Manila Standard reported that KLM and Delta were among the airlines considering cutting services to Manila.

Singapore and the Philippines expand their air services arrangements

On 13 May 2010 the Singapore Government's Ministry of Transport announced that it had agreed with the Philippines to expand their bilateral air services arrangements by allowing for greater capacity, measured by flights per week (see previous post).

Spain concludes new air services arrangements with the Philippines

On 21 May 2009 the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported the conclusion of a new air services agreement between the Philippines and Spain following negotiations in Madrid.

Brunei increases air services flexibility with the Philippines

On 31 March 2009 the Business Mirror reported that the Philippines has reached a new understanding on air services arrangements with Brunei. Features include a move from single to dual designation, a conditional increase in capacity based on aircraft load factors and separate provision for cargo capacity.

On 17 April 2009 the Brunei Times reported that Cebu Pacific was seeking to take up some of the new rights that are now available.

Singapore expands air services opportunities with the Philippines

On 10 May 2009 the Business Mirror reported on a major expansion in the air services arrangements negotiated between the Philippines and Singapore. This includes a major capacity increase and agreement by the Philippines to grant Singaporean airlines fifth freedom rights beyond Clark for 14 flights per week in total to all countries except Canada and the United States.

Australia and the Philippines expand air services arrangements

On 19 March 2009 the Australian Minister for Infrastructure announced that Australia and the Philippines had agreed to expand their air services arrangements. This includes a substantial increase in available capacity.

A 17 March 2009 report in the Philippine Daily Inquirer gives some further details of the outcome of the negotiations that were held in Canberra.

New Zealand's recent treaty negotiations

Just about hidden away on the web site of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is the International Treaties List, a publication produced every six months that gives some details of all the treaties that the New Zealand Government is negotiating, concluding, ratifying or amending. This includes air services agreements.

The 61-page July 2008 edition on pages 59-60 refers to New Zealand's air services relationships with Canada, the European Union, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey and the United Kingdom. It gives the dates of recent negotiations and also lists me as the official contact for these.

Airline perspectives on Philippines air transport policy

On 28 September 2008 the Manila Times carried a special report quoting the views of Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific about international air services policy and negotiations.

Iran and the Philippines conclude first air services agreement

On 7 August 2008 Fars News Agency reported that Iran and the Philippines have concluded their first air services agreement. This was also reported in Manila Times story on the same day.

Hong Kong and the Philippines agree to increased air capacity

Xinhua reported on 26 June 2008 that Hong Kong SAR and the Philippines have agreed to increase capacity on air services.

On the same day there was also a press release NEW from the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications.

Canada and the Philippines reach new air transport agreement

On 30 May 2008 at an APEC meeting in Peru the Canadian Government announced that it had reached a new air transport agreement with the Philippines.

New Zealand secured open air services arrangements with Switzerland

The Annual Report of the New Zealand Ministry of Transport for the year ended 30 June 2007 tabled in Parliament has on page 34 a brief report on New Zealand's progress in air services negotiations during the year.

During the year New Zealand "Secured open air services arrangements with Switzerland, finalised new arrangements with China and continued efforts to secure more open air services arrangements with other parties, including Canada, the European Union, Turkey, South Africa and the Philippines. Agreement was reached with Japan to permit the operation of B777 aircraft on routes to Japan."

This is the first time that news of the revised arrangements with Switzerland has been made public.

Separate public announcements have already been made on recent new air services arrangements with Canada, China and the Philippines.

The Philippines and New Zealand sign new air services agreement

On 21 November 2007 in Singapore the Philippines and New Zealand signed their first air services agreement. The New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, who together with the President of the Philippines witnessed the signing, has announced UPDATED some of the details of the new arrangements.

News media coverage of the new arrangements has appeared in the Manila Times and Sun Star Manila.

We negotiated the text over two rounds in Wellington and Manila. Just prior to the second round the New Zealand delegation visited Clark, the former USAF base 80km north of Manila.

Philippines looking to hold air services negotiations with New Zealand and Singapore

An August 2007 story in the Manila newspaper, the Business Mirror, reports that the Philippines is looking to hold air services negotiations with New Zealand and Singapore in the near future.

New Zealand's current air services negotiation priorities

In a 20 July 2007 speech to the annual conference of the Aviation Industry Association of New Zealand (AIA), the Minister of Transport Safety, Hon Harry Duynhoven, outlined some of New Zealand's current priorities for air services negotiations. These include holding negotiations with Canada, the European Union, the Philippines and Turkey.

ASEAN Secretary General says progress towards regional "open skies" is slow

On 24 June 2007 Bloomberg reported comments by Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary General Ong Keng Yong to a World Economic Forum meeting that progress on reaching a limited "open skies" air transport agreement covering routes between ASEAN capitals by 2008 was proving to be slow.