Philippines and Iceland signs deal to set up bilateral air services

The governments of the Philippines and Iceland have signed a deal to set up direct flights between the two countries.

In a statement, the Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr) said both the Philippines and Iceland signed an Initial Air Services Agreement (ASA) during the Philippines-Iceland Air Negotiation Talks held in Reykjavik, Iceland on August 18 and 19.

Covering the transport of passengers and the shipment of cargo between the Philippines and Iceland, the Philippines and Iceland will each have seven flights weekly passenger and cargo flights. The flights can be direct or with a connection, based on market demand.

"This Agreement will serve as the foundation for our future air transportation relationship and will provide our airlines with a framework to explore new opportunities for connectivity between our two countries and, ultimately, between our respective regions. Today, we are not simply concluding our first air negotiations. We are opening a new chapter in Philippine-Iceland relations in the field of civil aviation," said DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez.

"I would like to thank you all for the warm, friendly, and constructive spirit in which our discussions have taken place. We are very pleased with what we have achieved together. Our discussions have helped us to better understand each other's priorities and find a way forward," said Sigríður Eysteinsdóttir, director and chief negotiator for Air Services Agreements of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland.

There are currently no direct flights between the two countries. Travelers seeking to travel between both countries need to take connecting flights via hubs in Asia, the Middle East, and/or Europe.

The DOTr added the initiative is part of the Philippine government’s efforts to expand international air connections.