PHL, Myanmar updates 1979 air pact with new deals

The Philippines and Myanmar signed a new air agreement on Tuesday, updating the pact that was signed in 1979 by increasing the flight frequencies and seat allocations as a way of improving trade and investments between the Southeast Asian neighbors.

 

In a text message to reporters Wednesday, Carmelo Arcilla, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) executive director, said the 2014 agreement between Manila and Naypyitaw allows airlines from each country up to 3,780 seats per week or about three flights per day between Manila and various points in Myanmar.

 

The pact also provides for unlimited air traffic rights between all points in the Philippines – except Manila – and all points in Myanmar where there are three international airports.

 

“Myanmar is a rapidly growing economy of about 60 million people, with a potential for the development of direct connectivity with the Philippines,” Arcilla noted, saying the modern and updated agreement builds on the original Air Services Agreement of 1979. – VS, GMA News

 

A new air agreement is a forward looking development for both countries, primarily because of the upcoming integration of ASEAN next year, according to the Department of Transportation and Communications. Both Myanmar and the Philippines are members of the 10-nation bloc that include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. 

 

Three other air agreements were successfully concluded by the Philippines so far this year, including the deals with France in January, Singapore in February, and New Zealand in March. 

 

However, the negotiations with Malaysia – scheduled in early April – were cancelled as Kuala Lumpur was in midst of searching for the missing MH370, the Beijing bound Malaysia Airline that disappeared in early March. – VS, GMA News