Manufacturing Industry

Philippines and Taiwan resolve aviation differences

Airline Industry Information, Sept 25, 2000

The Philippine government has confirmed that it will sign a memorandum of understanding today (25 September) with Taiwan regarding commercial and cargo air services between the two countries.

Rodolfo Reyes, executive director of Manila's de facto embassy in Taiwan, told the Associated Press that all major issues had been resolved and that there were only details to be finalised.

Under the agreement, both EVA Airways of Taiwan and Philippine Airlines will be able to resume flights by 10 October, with China Airlines, another Taiwanese carrier, to resume services by the beginning of November.

Reyes indicated that the countries were basically returning to an agreement reached in 1996 that will allow the airlines of each country to fly a maximum of 9,600 passengers per week, which is the same number as specified in the 1996 agreement.

The 1996 agreement was scrapped in October 1999 by the Philippines when the country accused Taiwanese carriers of flying passengers to third countries. Taiwan later complained that the Philippines had violated an international procedure that requires a warning period of one year before an air pact is cancelled.

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