Australia Wants Darwin Connection to Auckland

Philippines wants to connect NZ from Brisbane or Sydney

June 22, 2013

The Philippines and Australia  failed to reach consensus on new air deal this week to increase passenger traffic between them due to some “outstanding issues,” the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) Thursday said. 

The outstanding issue is the fifth freedom rights requested by Philippine Airlines (PAL) to New Zealand as it intends to connect Brisbane or Sydney with Auckland but Australia would like PAL to use Darwin instead.

PAL currently uses A320 aircraft to Darwin, Brisbane and Perth. If granted air rights by the Australian government, the airline would embark on Brisbane/Sydney-Auckland flights to Manila using A330.

CAB said Cebu Pacific wants for more seats to Australia but may have to forego negotiations for a “few more months” its goal of doubling the current 6,000 seat entitlements a week, which translates to about 33 flights, CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla said. 

CAB and its Australian counterpart held talks from June 18 to June 19.