|
India and Philippines today signed a MoU regarding matters relating to the operation of air services between the two countries. The existing Air Services Agreement (ASA) of 1949 which needed to be reviewed, rationalized, updated to make it in conformity with current agreements.
After extensive deliberations by the two sides, held in New Delhi on the 20th and 21st July, 2005, it was agreed that: „h Each side shall be entitled to operate up to a maximum of 7 flights per week with any aircraft type not exceeding the capacity of a B747 aircraft.
„h The Route Schedule shall be amended to provide for access to four points of call to each side. For the Philippines ¡V Mumbai ¡V Delhi - Kolkata and Chennai and for India ¡V Manila and three other points in the Philippines to be selected by India. Both sides may operate the agreed services via Bangkok with 5th freedom rights. A revised Route Schedule is attached as Annex 2, which shall supercede the earlier Route Schedule.
„h In operating the agreed services, the designated airlines of one side may enter into co-operative arrangements inclusive of code sharing arrangements with the designated airlines of the other side, subject to the approval of the aeronautical authorities of both sides.
With regards to Cargo operations - the Indian side confirmed that the Indian Government has adopted an open sky policy that allows for unlimited cargo operations by foreign carriers to / from any point in India. The Philippines side confirmed that the Philippine Government has adopted a full liberalization policy for cargo services by foreign carriers to / from Clark and Subic.
Furthermore, both parties agreed to permit their respective designated carriers to operate up to a maximum of 7 flights per week with any aircraft type not exceeding the capacity of a B 747 aircraft between any points in India and any points in the Philippines and vice-versa.
Further the Philippines expressed its desire to include Bangalore and Hyderabad as points of call in India and in the Route Schedule.
Both sides agreed to meet within a year to consider enhancements to this agreement. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Ajay Prasad, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, while the Philippines side was headed by Hon. Franklin M. Ebdalin, Undersecretary (Deputy Foreign Minister), Department (Ministry) of Foreign Affairs.
MC
|
