Amend ‘open skies’ order, says travel industry head

A TRAVEL industry leader and co-convenor of the Fair Trade Alliance (FTA) yesterday called for an amendment in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Executive Order 29 or “pocket open skies” given to international aviation.

Robert Lim Joseph, chairman of the Travel Cooperative of the Philippines, said the government should amend the IRR of EO 29 and put the word “reciprocity” for the emphasis of equality and mutual exchange.

Joseph, who spoke in the weekly 888 news forum, warned that the EO 29, instead of bringing more tourists and investments in the country, would instead bring immediate competition based on the reaction of domestic carriers.

EO 29, which was issued by President Benigno Aquino III on March 14, would entitle foreign airlines to have easy access to land and takeoff in select international airports outside Metro Manila.

He said the order will grant the third, fourth, and fifth air freedom rights to foreign carriers.

There are nine air freedom rights according to the Regulation of International Air Transport.

These are a set of commercial aviation rights granting a country’s airline the privilege to enter and land in another country’s airspace.

The first allows the foreign carrier to pass over a country without landing. The second allows the it to refuel and carry out repairs on the way to another country. The third to fly from one’s own country to another. The fourth will allow the foreign carrier to fly from another country to one’s own country while the fifth air freedom right gives the foreign carrier to fly between two foreign countries during flights while the flight originates or ends in one’s country.

Joseph said the government’s original intention is to increase tourist arrivals and investments in the country by liberating the aviation industry. There will be immediate competition as per reaction to domestic flights.

“Allowing 5th freedom rights to foreign carriers will bring passengers out instead of into the Philippines,” he said.

Joseph said EO 29, which promotes pocket open skies, was also considered as a one-sided offer to foreign air carriers.

Joseph said the term “national interest” in the IRR could not guarantee protection to local carriers as it could give different interpretations and the whims of those in the air panel.

He said tourists instead will be flying out, which may limit the chances of promoting local destinations.

He said domestic carriers like Cebu Pacific Air and Philippines Airlines would be challenged once foreign airlines also provide their services to fly into different airports in country.