PAL: Open skies’ policy should be fair

By Paolo Montecillo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:57:00 12/01/2010

MANILA, Philippines—The government should not rush into implementing an “open skies” policy until other countries pledge to liberalize their own air travel sectors, flag carrier Philippine Airlines said.

In a statement, the Lucio Tan-led carrier said it would support an open skies policy but only if it was “fair, reciprocal” and would not unduly place local carriers at a disadvantage against foreign airlines.
At a hearing conducted by the House transportation committee, PAL senior assistant vice-president for external affairs Ma. Socorro Gonzaga said foreign carriers enjoyed adequate access to Philippine skies, debunking claims that there was lack of airline seats to accommodate tourists.

She said what the country really needed were more investments in infrastructure, a stable peace and order situation, and positive image abroad to attract tourists.

PAL said the opening up the country’s air space to foreign carriers might put local airlines at a disadvantage. Foreign airlines in the region are usually supported or even co-owned by their respective governments unlike PAL, which is privately run.
“It’s not the number of airline seats that is the behind the lack of tourist interest in the Philippines but the country’s negative image abroad, especially in the area of peace and order and security,” she said.

Since the Ramos administration, she said the Philippines had been liberally granting entitlements to foreign airlines. At present, she said there were 47.4 million seats available to foreign and local carriers.