2. 
Japan has lifted a ban that kept Philippine carriers from mounting additional
flights, following a new agreement on air service signed by Tokyo and Manila
that also allowed unlimited routes to points outside Haneda and the National
Capital Region.
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AIn a text message to reporters Friday, Civil Aeronautics Board executive
director Carmelo Arcilla said that the latest agreement raised the number of
flight frequencies between Manila and Narita to 400 per week from 119.
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Also, 14 flights a week can be mounted between Ninoy Aquino International
Airport and Tokyo International Airport – commonly called Tokyo Haneda
Airport – as well as unlimited air travel rights in Japan and the
Philippines, according to the CAB official.
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―This is a major breakthrough, especially since Japan is a major and third
biggest tourism market for the Philippines, and also since the last talks was
held in 2008, and the current Philippine entitlements are almost fully
utilized,‖ said Arcilla.
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Since 2008, Japan imposed limits on Philippine carriers that kept airlines
from operating more flights after International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) raised safety and security concerns on Philippine-flagged aircraft.

3. 
However, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines was able to hurdle a
Feb. 18 to Feb. 22 aviation safety audit and ICAO lifted the restrictions
because because of security concerns.
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CAB then asked Japan and South Korea to lift the ban on Philippine carriers.
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Last July 10, the European Union (EU) to lift the ban imposed in March 2010
preventing national flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) from entering the
European airspace after a 15-year hiatus last July 10.
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Arcilla noted the latest air agreement would benefit Philippine Airlines (PAL)
and budget airline Cebu Air Inc.
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―It is expected that the expanded traffic rights will support the further
growth and expansion of the Philippine-Japan market,‖ his text message
read.
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―This is one of most liberal increases that we have concluded so far, made
possible by the current liberal aviation policies of both the Philippines and
Japan,‖ Arcilla added. — VS, GMA News