By M K Anwar
Flights between Brunei and the Philippines are expected to increase following an agreement that was reached Tuesday.
Currently, there are five flights a week between the two countries under a code-sharing agreement between Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) and Philippines Airlines (PAL).
BusinessWorld reported yesterday that under the new agreement reached on Tuesday, seven flights a week are now allowed from Manila, two from Cebu, and one from Clark Freeport to the Brunei International Airport in the capital.
The Philippine negotiating panel was led by Trans-portation and Communication Undersecretary Doroteo A Reyes II, as well as representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism, CAB, and airport authorities.
RBA is yet to confirm when the additional flights will begin but informed sources said that the schedule is currently being reorganised.
Under BIMP-EAGA, Philippines Pacific Pearl Airways is expected to operate its inaugural chartered flight on April 3 covering the Davao-Brunei-Davao route.
Two other airlines from the Philippines, Cebu Air Pacific and Zest Airways, are also reported to be considering to fly to Brunei.
Cebu Pacific Vice-President for Marketing and Product Candice A Iyog said that they are looking into Brunei as "one of their options in their route network expansion".
Zest Airways meanwhile said that it is still studying whether to fly to Brunei.
The latest agreement follows the recent state visit by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei to the Philippines.
His Majesty and Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo have both reaffirmed their desire to further deepen and expand the relations between the two countries.
Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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