PHL, Brazil forge initial air services pact

Philippine and Brazilian air carriers may soon have flights linking each other's countries, after officials initialed an air services agreement last May 20.

 

The formalities took place at the office of Brazil`s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) in Rio de Janeiro, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday.

 

"The ASA would pave the way for the two countries’ respective carriers to mount daily flights to and from each other’s territory," the DFA said.

 

Also, the agreement aims to open new destinations for Philippine carriers and in turn boost Philippine tourism.

 

Pending the ratification of the ASA, both countries' aeronautical authorities signed a memorandum of understanding "granting traffic rights and setting out other operational details for their designated carriers," the DFA added.

 

For her part, Philippine Airlines vice president for external affairs Ma. Socorro Gonzaga said the MOU signing may allow PAL to fly to Brazil three times a week, and up to seven flights a week.

 

The DFA noted the ASA is the 11th bilateral agreement between the Philippines and Brazil, adding this was a milestone in the two countries' 53 years of diplomatic ties.

 

Heading the Philippine delegation was Undersecretary Rafael Seguis. The delegation also had representatives from:

 

- Civil Aeronautics Board

- Department of Transportation and Communications

- Department of Tourism (DOT)

- Philippine Embassy in Brazil

 

In his welcome remarks, Bruno Silva Dalcolmo, Superintendent of International Relations of ANAC and head of the Brazilian delegation, said Brazil considers the Philippines as the "perfect gateway to Asia."

 

For his part, Seguis expressed optimism the ASA will lead to further increases in tourism figures and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

 

"Brazilian tourists comprise the largest tourist arrival in the Philippines from South America and are considered among the biggest tourism spenders accounting for US$22 billion spent internationally in 2012," the DFA said.

 

It added the Philippines could serve as another gateway to the ASEAN market of at least 600 million people.  — ELR, GMA News