30 March 2015 – Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Alex G. Chua met Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General (ret.) Lt. Gen. William Hotchkiss III on March 25 at the Philippine Embassy in Yangon.

Director General Hotchkiss discussed the importance of a regionally integrated air transport sector to the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community. The Philippines, he said, should actively contribute to the integration process of its air transport sector by ensuring that the country meets international safety standards in aviation. He cited the European Commission’s lifting of the air ban for Philippine Airlines in 2013 and Cebu Pacific in 2014 as positive indicators that can be used to promote more tourist flights to the country via Philippine carriers. Director General Hotchkiss added that the Philippines has a competitive advantage in training of pilots and aviation technicians and skilled workers.

Ambassador Chua cited the increasing number of Myanmar nationals studying aviation in the Philippines. He said that the Philippines could play an important role in the air transport sector as a destination of choice for aviation studies in the region. He urged CAAP to look into policies to support the country’s aviation education sector. END