Permission for Philippine Airlines to return to Europe

BERLIN - The Philippines are expecting a huge surge in tourism and airline activity. "We are delighted with the recent decision of the ICAO to lift its sanctions regarding aviation safety in my country", said the Philippines ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe Natividad at ITB Berlin.

The ICAO is the International Civil Aviation Organization of the United Nations. Due to inadequate safety standards Philippine Airlines and the country’s other airlines have been banned from flying to Europe for several years.

“A number of talks are still due to be held”, the ambassador said. However, she was confident that aircraft from the Philippines would start arriving again in Frankfurt "within the next twelve months."

She also had another piece of good news: her country’s authorities have abolished two major taxes imposed on airlines flying to the Philippines.

The government in Manila expects European airlines will soon be offering direct flights to the Philippines again. “That will give the economy an extra boost“, said Europe manager Venus Tan at ITB Berlin, who has her office in Frankfurt.

According to her, tourist numbers are on the increase. In 2012 tourist arrivals from Europe rose to 208,000, an increase of 12 per cent, of whom approximately 69,000 came from Germany. During the same year some 4.2 million tourists from around the world visited the Philippines. This year the country is hoping for 4.7 million.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews