The Philippines and Taiwan governments quarrelled again yesterday over the resumption of air links between the two countries, as a result of a disagreement over seat numbers.
Taiwan said there had been an "exchange of letters" on Jan. 28 stipulating that total seats for Taiwanese airlines on weekly flights between Taipei-Manila would be set at 4,800, with flights on other routes, such as between Kaohsiung and Manila, left open until a new aviation agreement is reached.
But the Philippines insists that the number is 4,800 for all Taiwanese carriers regardless of which Taiwan-Philippines route they fly.
The letters also said the negotiation of the new agreement was to begin on March 1 -- which appears unlikely now.
Eva Estrada Kalaw, chairman of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), yesterday issued a press release saying that "the correct figure is 4,800 for each [side], equally apportioned for Taiwan and the Philippines."
"What we signed in Malaca-nang, before President Joseph Estrada, between me and Ambassador H.C. Chan (詹憲卿) of TECO (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, Taiwan's de facto embassy) was 4,800," Kalaw said.
"The Philippines wants to make very clear that the agreement encompassed the whole of Taiwan and the Philippines, not just Taipei or one city," she said.
In Taiwan, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) yesterday reacted promptly to Kalaw's press release, saying that the truth was being distorted by the Philippine side.
"We have urged the foreign ministry to make it clear to the Philippines [that this is] a distortion," the CAA said. "We are not prepared to hold talks with the Philippines before it agrees to give permission for flights between Taipei and Manila, and Kaohsiung and Manila applied for by our airlines according to the agreement."
The CAA has said it would reduce the frequency of Philippine Airlines flights after the Manila government blocked China Airlines from flying between Manila and Kaohsiung. Philippine authorities said they acted after Taiwan carriers exceeded the agreed-upon seat quotas.
The CAA added that it will not rule out suspending flights again if Manila tries to negate the Jan. 28 letters.
Direct flights between the two countries resumed in early February after being cut off in October because of disputes over weekly passenger quotas.
RSS