The Philippines expanded its air services agreement with Australia to boost tourism and trade between the two countries.
The Philippines, through the Department of Transportation, and Australia’s Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities, signed a memorandum of understanding for better air connectivity during the two-day air consultation talks held on Sept. 25 and 26.
Under the deal, designated airlines will now offer up to 10,700 seats each way per week from the Philippines to key cities in Australia such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
This is an improvement from the current 9,300 weekly seating capacity.
Airlines from both countries can also now operate unlimited services to regional airports with unrestricted capacity, frequency and aircraft type.
Both countries also agreed to increase the new limit to 10,700 seats per week by the end of March 2019.
“This agreement aims to further boost the economy and tourism industry of both countries,” the DOTr said.