Manila eyes air talks with Jakarta in June

The Philippines plans to hold fresh air talks with Indonesia, Australia and Singapore this year.

“There is a proposal to hold air talks with Indonesia but we are waiting for confirmation for end of June schedule. Once it is firmed up then it’s a go,” said Carmelo Arcilla, executive director of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).

“If it’s a go for Indonesia in June then Australia and Singapore may come next. Singapore is interested to add more seats while we are interested to amend our air pact with Australia,” Arcilla said.

In April, the Philippines and South Korea concluded talks to amend their air agreement, raising the number of flight entitlements by 9,500 weekly seats to 28,500 for each country.

Philippine Airlines already applied for 3,500 seats, while Cebu Pacific wants 3,780. Zestair is seeking 5,596, while Seair wants 10,000 seats.-Interaksyon (May 20, 2012)