22 January 2014 – After almost sixteen years, Philippine Airlines (PAL) may now resume its Manila-Paris flight following the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Aeronautical Authorities of the Republic of the Philippines and the Aeronautical Authorities of the French Republic on January 15 at the French Civil Aviation Authority in Paris, France.

The MOU updated the Air Services Agreement signed in 1968 and allows PAL up to seven flights per week from Manila to Paris.

Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla headed the Philippine delegation which included representatives from the Civil Aviation Board, the Department of Tourism, the Philippine Embassy in Paris, and PAL.

The last Manila-Paris flight from PAL was in 1998. After the merger of Air France and KLM in 2004, direct flights from Paris to Manila were stopped in 2004. KLM is currently the only airline which provides direct flights from Manila to Europe via Amsterdam. The signing of this agreement is therefore expected to boost tourism and facilitate the entry of investments from France and the Europe. END