DOT: Philippine airlines to survive ‘pocket-open skies’

Filipino airlines are expected to survive and prevail amid the government’s “pocket-open skies” policy, according to newly appointed Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr.

Dispelling fears raised by some stakeholders in the tourism industry that opening up some of the country’s airports to foreign carriers may do local carriers harm, Jimenez said the policy was meant to strengthen them instead.

The “pocket-open skies” policy eases restrictions on foreign airlines and allows them to land in selected international airports outside Metro Manila. In doing so, more foreign travelers on planes charging cheaper fares are expected to visit the Philippines.

Jimenez said the principle behind pushing for such policy was “very simple”—a more liberalized aviation rule would open up the country to more foreign tourists.

He was echoing the points raised by his predecessor in pushing for the policy.

“We didn’t do it for any other reason but that,”  Jimenez, an advertising executive by profession, said at a press conference with tourism beat reporters early last week.

“But having said that, it was also done because we believe that Filipino airlines are among the best airlines in the world and they will find a way not only to survive open skies but to lead it,” said the new tourism chief.

Jimenez said the strengths of local carriers would remain under such policy “and the will do well under [it]… that is our belief.”

Before stepping down, former Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim urged his successor, amid resistance by some in the tourism sector, to continue “fighting” for the policy, which President Aquino approved when he signed Executive Order No. 29 in March.

There had been speculations that vested interests hurt by such policy had a hand in Lim’s leaving the Cabinet.

Lim had aimed to increase foreign visitors to the country from last year’s 3 million to 6.3 million by 2016. But Jimenez said he was working to surpass the target. “We think we can do somewhat better than that,” he added.

The tourism agency, which has tapped at least six of the country’s largest advertising and marketing communications teams to come up with a new Philippine brand, is expected to launch the new campaign before Christmas.