Inanunsyo ng Department of Transportation (DOTr) ang pagsisimula ng direct flights sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at France, simula December 8, ngayong taon.
Sa press briefing sa Malacañang sinabi ni DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautisa, na handa ang Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) sa pagtanggap sa mga pasaherong inaasahagn dadagsa sa bansa mula sa direct flight na ito kahit pa, sumasailalim sa rehabilitasyon ang paliparan.
“NAIA is always ready to accept these passengers. Of course, you know that NAIA is a very congested airport, and this is the reason why we are privatizing it and making some more improvements. But for these particular flights, NAIA is very much prepared. NAIA will work closely with the officials of Air France – KLM, their ground handlers, their caterers so that Air France will have smooth operations here in the country. So no worries about getting some issues or problems for the passengers of these non-stop flights from Paris to Manila.” —Sec Bautista.
Paliwanag ng kalihim, mahigpit ang nangyayaring koordinasyon sa pagitan ng NAIA at ng Air France upang masiguro na magiging banayad ang operasyon sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa.
“So it’s a wide-range of cooperation. And we really wanted to work with them because we don’t want to experience what happened in early 2000 when the Philippines was blacklisted in EU. Remember, during that time, because we were blacklisted—for non-compliance for international standards, we were blacklisted, and Philippine carriers were not allowed to operate in Europe.” —Secretary Bautista.
Sabi ng kalihim, kabilang sa suporta na ia-abot ng air france sa bansa ay ang training ng mga tao, at pagba-bahagi ng best practice, para dito, upang makasabay sa international standard ang Pilipinas.
“The International Civil Aviation Organization is now very strict in terms of regulating different aviation authorities ‘no. And there is a scheduled audit to be conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization this coming year, early 2025, and with the assistance of the France DGAC, we should be able to perform well during the audit. This is also in preparation for the audit.” —Sec Bautista.
Sabi naman ni French Ambassador Marie Fontanel, ang pagsasakatuparan ng direct flights na ito, ay sumasalamin lamang sa kumpiyansa ng France sa merkado ng Pilipinas.
“It testifies also, I think, to Air France confidence in the Philippines market at the time when flights between Europe and the Philippines are set to increase by more than 4% a year between now and 2042. After 20-year absence, Air France will reopen an office in the Philippines alongside its partner, historic partner which is present here, KLM, already present in the country.” —Amb. Fontanel. | ulat ni Racquel Bayan
