Cebu Pacific said it welcomes the increase in air services into the Philippines that the Executive Order on Open Skies seeks, but expressed grave concerns about certain provisions of the EO that are apparently ill advised, its press release said.

EO 29 would afford foreign airlines benefits so critical that if they are not reciprocated by foreign governments the growth and even the survival of Philippine carriers are at risk, it said.

“Under EO29 foreign airlines would be able to fly freely into and out of the country; Philippine carriers are limited to flights specified in existing air agreements with other countries,” the press release said.

“In sum, we want the same benefits from the governments of these foreign airlines. We want reciprocity which is fair and reasonable. We are not asking for special favors, just a level playing field. If the benefits of air services liberalization flow only one way, we are discriminated against in our own country,” it added.

CEB strongly urges the government to modify EO 29 - to include the basic pre-requisite of reciprocity in any air rights negotiations, it also said.*

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