PAL wants `Open Skies' closed
 

SHIPPING NEWS HEADLINES
Saturday, July 14, 2001
SchedNet http://www.schednet.com

THE president of Philippine Airlines, speaking on behalf of the country's domestic carriers, has said that the implementation of a recent open skies agreement with the US will sound the death knell for the national carrier and other Philippine carriers.

Philippine Airlines' chief Avalino Zapanta wants a postponement of up to five years to an open skies agreement between the US and the Philippines before it comes into effect in two years time. He says the best result would be for the Philippines to renegotiate an existing agreement with the US to stop major US airlines like Continental Airlines and United Airlines from coming in and exerting undue influenece.