THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said it hopes to conclude an overflight agreement with Saudi Arabia in order to expand air services with Israel.
Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation Manuel Antonio L. Tamayo told reporters last month the priority for air negotiations in 2019 is access to Saudi air space.
“If you don’t fly over Saudi to Israel, it adds more than an hour of flying time,” he said.
A Philippines-Israel air service agreement was signed in 2013.
Mr. Tamayo said none of the Philippines’ airlines are currently using their air rights, but noted that Philippine Airlines (PAL) may start flying to Tel Aviv soon.
“We’re pushing them to launch flights by next quarter but they say it’s a seasonal market,” he said, adding PAL is considering launching services during the cold months.
In 2018, President Rodrigo R. Duterte visited Israel to sign agreements relating to the employment of Filipino caregivers, scientific cooperation, and collaboration in bilateral direct investment, while both sides also got the ball rolling on increasing air connectivity. — Denise A. Valdez
