The Philippine Star News
Thursday, December 24, 1998
NewsThe Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) came under fire yesterday for granting more landing rights to foreign carriers to the disadvantage of domestic airlines.
Executives of domestic airlines complained that foreign carriers have slowly taken over the profitable routes as shown by the increasing number of daily flights to Manila by Singapore Airlines, China Airlines, Japan Airlines and Northwest Airlines.
Classified as profitable routes were Manila-Tokyo, Manila-Taipei, Manila-Singapore, Manila-US West Coast, Manila-Middle East and Manila-Seoul.
Air Philippines President and Chairman William Gatchalian charged that the CAB appeared to be favoring foreign carriers by allowing them more flights to Manila.
Gatchalian said his company and other domestic airlines can also serve the so-called profitable routes, but the CAB refused to grant them permits.
“We can fly international any time, if allowed. Getting permits from foreign counterparts of the CAB will not be a problem," Gatchalian said.
He also claimed that the CAB gave the international routes abandoned by the ailing Philippine Airlines (PAL) to foreign carriers instead of domestic airlines.
Gatchalian said they are eyeing the opening of the Cebu-Singapore and Cebu-Taipei routes which would be beneficial for overseas Filipino workers, specifically those from the Visayas and Mindanao.
“All we ask for from the CAB is fairness," Gatchalian said,
He added that Air Philippines and two other domestic airlines can adequately serve local and foreign routes affected by the reduction of PAL's flights. — Rey Arquiza
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