09 September 2013 - The Philippines and Italy conducted Air Services Consultations from September 4 to 5 in Rome, Italy. Both sides discussed and initialed the Philippines-Italy Air Services Agreement (ASA) and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The Philippine Air Panel was led Department of Transportation and Communication’s (DOTC’s) Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla, while the Italian Air Panel was headed by Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport’s Dr. M. Cristina Francolini.

Representatives from Philippine and Italian air carriers were present at the talks. The Air Services Agreement allows Philippine air carriers to fly directly to Italy (Rome, Milan, Bergamo, and another point) and Italian air carriers to fly directly to the Philippines (Manila, Cebu, Clark and another point).    

The last bilateral Agreement on Air Services was concluded and signed in 1969 and Philippine Airlines (PAL) last flew to Italy in 1994. After an absence of almost 20 years, Philippine and Italian airliners can now resume direct flights. This agreement will benefit some 170,000 Filipinos and their families who work and reside in Italy, among other overseas Filipino workers based in Europe, by affording them the option to take direct flights back home, help boost tourism and encourage increased business travel between the two countries. END