CAAP forum tackles Asean open skies

MANILA, Philippines—The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has gathered officials and owners of aviation schools across the country for a two-day forum to orient them on its goal to be part of Asean countries having open skies by 2015.

The CAAP said, in a statement, it had launched its program “Engaging the Stakeholders Series” that started off with the Nov. 6 to 7 forum at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City.

High on the forum’s agenda was the goal of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to open its skies to carriers in the region.

CAAP has been one of those pushing for Asean Single Aviation Market through the European Union-funded Asean Air Transport Integration Project (AATIP), which facilitates the institutional framework of the Asean open skies.

At the forum, CAAP sought to make the stakeholders of civil aviation and the aerospace industries aware of the Asean’s goal, “which will transform civil aviation… starting yearend 2015.”

Among the forum’s participants are key officials, training heads and owners of 41 aviation schools under the supervision of CAAP.

These schools offer certification courses, baccalaureate degrees and enhancement programs for aviation professionals and students.

“Through this forum, CAAP aims to orient them on the rules and regulations delineated in the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations (PCAR) affecting their operations,” it said.

The CAAP also hopes to get feedback from aviation schools on how to make the PCAR responsive to their needs and concerns.

The plan to establish an Asean Aviation Academy with CAAP’s Civil Aviation Traning Center having the “pivotal role” will be fleshed out in the forum, it said.

The Philippines has been wanting to be part of the group of Southeast Asian nations that have opened up their capital cities to more foreign airlines. Officials, however, note that the country needs to address the infrastructure bottlenecks first to do so.