• Air Canada is considering expanding direct flights to the Philippines as part of a broader strategy to increase Asia-Pacific routes
• Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Canadian Ambassador David Hartman met recently to discuss the potential expansion and its benefits
• The expansion aims to strengthen trade, tourism, and economic ties between the Philippines and Canada, while boosting air transport recovery
• Air Canada currently operates up to seven flights per week between Vancouver and Manila
Air Canada is considering expanding direct flights to the Philippines as part of a broader strategy to increase Asia-Pacific routes.
This was discussed in a meeting between Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime J. Bautista and Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman, as the two countries seek to boost trade, tourism, and economic cooperation.
Bautista expressed enthusiasm for the proposed route expansion, emphasizing that improved air connectivity would enhance economic resilience and growth for both nations. “We are ramping up linkages with other international destinations. Our aim is to launch and expand new routes of flight networks in various parts of the world,” he said during his meeting with the Canadian envoy recently.
He further noted that the proposed flights would facilitate greater economic activity “to the growth of both of our societies.”
Air Canada currently offers seven flights per week between Vancouver and Manila, based on their website. Passengers traveling from cities like Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Quebec may connect through Vancouver.
The meeting follows Bautista’s remarks at the Aviation Summit 2024 in October, where he outlined the DOTr’s plans to introduce new international routes. This initiative aims to offer travelers greater flexibility and attract more foreign tourists to the Philippines, thereby bolstering the country’s tourism sector.
In line with these efforts, direct flights between the Philippines and France are set to commence on December 8, further enhancing connections between the Asia-Pacific region and Europe.
Hartman expressed optimism that the expansion could be realized soon to address the increasing travel demand between the Philippines and North America.
