TRAVEL for passengers and cargo shipments between the Philippines and Iceland is set to become more convenient following the signing of the Initial Air Services Agreement between the two countries.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the agreement was signed on Aug. 19 in Reykjavik, Iceland, by Assistant Secretary Edgar Badajos of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Sigríður Eysteinsdóttir, director and chief negotiator for Air Services Agreements at Iceland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
The milestone aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to expand the Philippines’ international partnerships and strengthen the country’s transportation system, Lopez said.
“The 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,” he said.
Eysteinsdóttir, who headed the Icelandic delegation, expressed gratitude for the meaningful discussions among delegation members.
“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,” he said.
Under the agreement, the Philippines and Iceland will each be entitled to seven weekly flights — equivalent to one flight per day — for both passenger and cargo services.
The traffic rights will provide greater flexibility for airlines from both countries to establish and develop air services based on demand and commercial viability, according to the Department of Transportation.
Through the landmark accord, broader opportunities are expected to emerge for establishing air services linking the Philippines and Iceland, whether through direct or connecting flights, Lopez said.
The pact is expected to boost tourism, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.
“May this agreement serve as the beginning of a long and productive partnership, one that will create opportunities for our airlines, benefit our traveling public and bring our peoples closer together,” Lopez said.
Aside from Lopez, who led the delegation, other top Philippine government officials were Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Philippine Ambassador to Norway Enrico Fos, as well as officials from the Department of Labor and Employment, Civil Aeronautics Board, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Philippine Embassy in Oslo and the Honorary Consul of the Philippines to Iceland.
The Icelandic delegation was represented by Kristin Helga Markúsdóttir, deputy director general of the Icelandic Transport Authority, and Vala Hrönn Viggósdóttir, legal advisor at the Ministry of Infrastructure.