Melo Villareal
Good News! The Philippines is expecting increase in tourist arrivals from the US and Europe after the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and the European Union (EU) lifted aviation status on the Philippines.
Its More Fun in the Philippines
It was in 2008 when US FAA downgraded the aviation status of the Philippines to Category 2 but the country regained the Category 1 status after complying with the international aviation safety standards.
EU recently announced that aviation ban to Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) has been lifted after the compliance of the airline to international standards. With this development, Cebu Pacific can now fly to European Destinations. However, Cebu Pacific President & CEO – Lance Gokongwei, has not yet disclosed the details as to what routes will Cebu Pacific fly to in Europe.
Cebu Pacific is the second airline in the Philippines who is currently aligned with EU International standards after Philippine Airlines (PAL) got excluded in the EU blacklist in July 2013.
The Philippine Department of Tourism welcomes the news of the return of the Philippines to Category 1 status by the US Federal Aviation Administration. With this development, Philippine carriers can now operate to other cities in the United States and increase frequencies to existing routes. The anticipated expansion in capacity and network coverage will boost the Department’s tourism promotion efforts in US, which is the country’s second largest source market.
The Department also congratulates the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines for its steadfast commitment to ensuring that the Philippines complies with the international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
With the return to Category 1, the riding public can be assured of a safe and convenient travel to the The Department and its partners in the private sector look forward to an expanded and more aggressive marketing campaign in the US as it moves closer to the targets set in the National Tourism Development Plan.
Lets just stay positive that more tourism investments will follow. With these developments, the country needs better airports, more world class hotels and better roads to impress and provide convenience to the upcoming tourists from North America and Europe.
