THE Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) wants to expand its air service agreement with India, as Air India launches a Delhi-Manila service by October.
“Air India is flying, that is good because India is a big market, a growing economy with a lot of outbound travelers,” CAB Executive Director Carmelo L. Arcilla told reporters on the sidelines of a briefing this week.
Air India announced that it is launching direct service five times a week between the two countries’ capitals starting Oct. 1.
Mr. Arcilla said the CAB is also in talks with India for possible air service to other destinations in India.
“I think that when the main gateway is developed, the secondary gateways will follow. It takes a lot of resources to develop secondary gateways,” he said.
The CAAP has said that Air India is optimistic about the possible economic and cultural impact of direct services.
The Department of Transportation has said that it is undertaking consultations for further air service agreements with India, the US, Australia, Thailand, the UK, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Ethiopia, Oman and the Seychelles. — Ashley Erika O. Jose