AirAsia chief: Aviation, infra backlog are hurting PHL tourism

The Philippine aviation industry and the backlog in transporation infrastructure could dim the bright prospects of tourism, according to the chief executive of Air Asia Bhd.

"More people should come and see this country, but it is damn bloody tough to get to,” Tony Fernandez told reporters on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit on Tuesday.

AirAsia Philippines recorded a 46 percent year-on-year increase in passengers during the third quarter. This exceeded the airlines' 14 percent capacity expansion during the same period.

“Philippine aviation has not progressed as well as other industries. It is ridiculous that a country whose people are so fantastic has 2 million tourists versus Malaysia’s 24 million,” Fernandez said.

Infrastructure backlog

The backlog in transportation infrastructures has supposedly weighed down the Philippine tourism industry.

With the congestion problem hounding the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Fernandez floated the idea of developing Clark International Airport.

"I do believe that Clark airport is a fantastic asset. It is cheaper in investing in that than building a whole new airport,” Fernandez noted.

At the same time, the government needs to construct a train line that will connect the airport to cities or tourist destinations.

“No one is willing to spend two hours to get to an airport for a flight that is two hours, right?” Fernandez said.

Aviation policy

Apart from expanding and developing new airports, the airline executive also noted the importance for the Philippines to adopt an aviation policy.

"It really needs a committee to sit down and say, 'what are we going to do to revolutionize Philippine transportation?’ It is not rocket science,” Fernandez said.

The Philippines has yet to sign Protocols 5 and 6 of the multilateral agreement on air services, which provides for traffic rights among Southeast Asian capital cities, the executive noted.

"If that is sorted out, I see lots of jobs being created here, lots of economic growth and Philippines could be the powerhouse to ASEAN tourism,” he said. – VS, GMA News