Manila-Maldives direct flight deal inked

Maldives would soon be a lot easier for Filipino travelers.

Spending the holidays on the tranquil and picturesque beaches of the Maldives would soon be a lot easier for Filipino travelers as an air services agreement paving the way for direct flights between the two countries was signed by officials on Tuesday.

The agreement entered into by Manila and Male allows for an initial 1,200 seats that can be flown weekly by designated airlines.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) noted though that because of the Philippines’ pocket open skies policy, “flights originating from or destined for points outside Manila will be unlimited.”

After months of letter exchanges, the agreement was finally crafted in a two-day meeting in Manila. The Philippine panel was led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and joined by the DOTr, Civil Aeronautics Board, Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Labor and Employment.

The Maldives delegation was composed of the chairperson, chief executive and senior officials of the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority. Composed of around 1,200 islands, atolls and reefs, Maldives is known worldwide for its crystal-clear waters.