RP, U.S. sign air pact

RP, U.S. sign air pact

MANILA (AFP): The Philippines and the United States signed an
aviation agreement yesterday expanding cargo rights to U.S.
carriers but deferring the implementation of an "open skies"
policy.

"The accord is a partnership in the truest sense because it
broadens opportunities for carriers on both sides -- for the
Philippines and for the United States -- by increasing the number
of cargo and passenger flights," U.S. Transport Secretary Federico
Pena told a news briefing here.

The signing finalized bilateral agreements agreed in
Washington in September.

The accord was earlier attacked by critics, among them flag-
carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), which said that the granting
of extensive cargo rights to more U.S. carriers would aggravate
losses already suffered by PAL.

However, Transportation and Communications Secretary Jesus
Garcia said PAL had won "more than what it wanted" since
Washington had granted a seven-year deferment of the open skies
policy for unrestricted U.S. flights in the Philippines while PAL
had only asked for six years.