MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / May 28, 2013) – The Philippines and Brazil negotiated and initialed an air services agreement which would pave the way for their respective carriers to mount daily flights to and from each other’s territory, according to a statement sent by foreign affairs officials to the Mindanao Examiner.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis headed the delegation with the Philippine Embassy officials in Brasilia and successfully negotiated the country’s first air services agreement in South America.
The accord will also open new destinations for Philippine carriers and promote tourism.
Bruno Silva Dalcolmo, Superintendent of International Relations of Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil and head of the Brazilian delegation, said the Philippines is a “perfect gateway to Asia.”
Seguis expressed optimism that the ASA will result to further increases in tourism figures and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
He said Brazilian comprise the largest tourist arrival in the Philippines from South America and are considered among the biggest tourism spenders accounting for US$22 billion spent internationally in 2012.
On the other hand, the Philippines could serve as another gateway to the ASEAN market of at least 600 million people.
Pending ratification of the ASA, the aeronautical authorities of both countries signed a memorandum of understanding granting traffic rights and setting out other operational details for their designated carriers.
The ASA is the 11th bilateral agreement between the Philippines and Brazil and a milestone in the two countries’ 53 years of formal diplomatic relations.
Maria Socorro Gonzaga, Philippine Airlines’ Vice President for External Affairs, said they may fly to Brazil three times a week and up to seven flights a week.
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