Philippines, Hong Kong in Talks to Update Air Services Agreement
HONG KONG 01 July 2024 – Assistant Secretary Enrique Antonio J. Esquivel III of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) headed the Philippine Delegation in the consultation talks for the update of the current Philippines-Hong Kong, China Air Services Agreement (ASA). The talks were held from 19 to 20 June 2024 in Hong Kong.
In addition to the DOTr, the Philippine Delegation to the air services talks consisted of representatives from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Representatives from Philippine Designated Carriers, namely, from the Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Asia; and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) were likewise present during the talks as Observers.
The Hong Kong side, for its part, was headed by Principal Assistant Secretary Wong Chun To of the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) and assisted by the Department of Justice, the Airport Authority and the Civil Aviation Department (CAD). Hong Kong’s Designated Carriers that sent representatives to the talks as Observers were Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, HK Express, Air Hong Kong and Greater Bay Airlines.
The ASA between the Philippines and Hong Kong, China entered into force on 26 June 1997. The Agreement was last updated in October 2014 to further increase the air traffic between the two sides. END