Iceland and Philippines establish first air service rights

Icelandic authorities have secured air service rights between Iceland and the Philippines for the first time, mbl.is reports.

The two countries initialled an air services agreement and the text of a new aviation treaty on August 18, following talks held in Reykjavík at the initiative of the Icelandic authorities. No air services agreement had previously been in force between the countries.

The agreement provides a legal basis for flights between Iceland and the Philippines. It covers reciprocal flight rights, cooperation between airlines, passenger and freight services, aviation safety and aviation security.

The provisions can be applied provisionally until the agreement is formally signed and enters into force under the rules of both countries.

Edgar B. Badajos, assistant undersecretary at the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, signed the agreement on behalf of the Philippines. Sigríður Eysteinsdóttir, a division director at Iceland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Iceland’s chief negotiator on air services agreements, signed on behalf of Iceland.