PH expands air links with PNG

Just as the ink dried on the Philippines’ agreement with the Independent State of Papua New Guinea to jointly develop agro-industries, the two bilateral partners on Thursday bolstered air connectivity after two days of talks.

The negotiations saw the Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), lead the Philippine Air Consultation Panel in the push for the expansion of entitlements for the designated carriers of both parties.

The country’s air services agreement now allows designated airlines to fly a total of 1,500 seats per side per week between Manila and Port Moresby, and 3000 seats between other points in the Philippines and Papua New Guinea — a big leap from the 600 and 1500 agreed upon in 2011.

The expansion in air connection comes hot on the heels of Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s state visit in May. The two nations committed to cooperate more closely in fishing and agriculture, particularly tuna processing and the development of rice and coconut farming.

Papua New Guinea will also host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in November this year.