Re: Brussels to Manila flights

Posted by Arianespace on Dec 20, 2022; 11:30am
URL: http://philippine-aviation-forum.259.s1.nabble.com/Airlines-In-The-Philippines-II-tp2674p3611.html

While TLV is in the ME, for political reason its part of Europe but not in the EU. The ASEAN-EU Air Treaty however covers only EU countries. Therefore it cannot do EU from TLV. What it can do is basically this explanation from Eurest at page 32.

Eurest wrote

If the ASEAN side is the same as the EU side,
Philippine carriers can fly up to 7x weekly passenger services beyond or via any 3rd country to EU member states with 5th freedom rights.
It increases to 14x weekly after 2 years.
If it's via a 3rd country like your example, that 3rd country should grant 5th freedom rights as well.
The EU example was PRG-SIN-MNL
So for the Philippines, something like MNL/CRK/CEB-LCA-ORY

Passenger services from ASEAN to EU or vice versa that only carry 3rd & 4th freedom rights are not limited aside from airport slot restrictions

The agreement still needs ratification on the EU side, not sure w/ ASEAN member states.

For a clearer understanding, take this explanation from the EU linked here

In addition, the agreement foresees up to 14 weekly passenger flights to or from each EU Member State, operated with fifth freedom rights for passenger services, for example the option to fly from Prague to Singapore and then to Manila. The first seven frequencies will be available immediately, and the other seven frequencies two years after entry into force of the agreement, and only on routes not operated by airlines of the other party. For air cargo, EU and ASEAN airlines will be immediately entitled to operate unlimited fifth freedom traffic rights.

With this explanation, PAL can similarly fly FCO and then to AMS while another route to FRA and CDG as early as next year on 4x3 flight frequency, assuming they utilize first seven. Which I think they would. They have been dreaming about these rights for 10 years and now its open for them.

We have discussed previously BKK as hubs for the A333 if it were to fly EU. But the 242t variant of the A339 can basically cover EU routes without penalty. With the 235t variant PAL had, it has already proven that it can fly more than 5,200nm to LAX from ICN. What more with the heavier and newer version. FRA is just 300nm away while FCO is 400nm farther, roughly equivalent to additional hour. Doable even by its current fleet , with penalty of course. But you get the point.