REUTERS

THE PHILIPPINES is seeking to expand its bilateral air service agreement with Australia, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) said.

CAB Executive Director Carmelo L. Arcilla said the Philippines has requested to double its current seat allocation to 60,000.

Mr. Arcilla said the air talks between the Philippines and Australia are scheduled for Friday.

The Department of Transportation has said it is working to expand air service agreements with Australia, the US, Thailand, the UK, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Ethiopia, India, Oman and the Seychelles.

The government plans to expand airline operations and serve new destinations in response to growing travel demand.

Last year, budget carrier Cebu Pacific put Australia on its wish list for a possible air service agreement expansion due to strong demand.

Cebu Pacific has said that seat entitlements to Australia are fully allocated among the Philippine carriers, hindering airlines from expanding services to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane.

Both Cebu Pacific and flag carrier Philippine Airlines operate flights to Australia.

The CAB said in June that it is also working on code-sharing agreements with South Korean and Japanese carriers to expand connectivity between Manila and the US.

A third-country code-sharing agreement involves carriers in two countries selling flights on a third country’s airline.

It is also working to obtain a third-country code-sharing agreement with Japan to make it possible for US airlines to operate in the Philippines. — Ashley Erika O. Jose