Sri Lanka Phl increase flights between two countries

The Philippines and Sri Lanka signed a new deal to increase flights between the two countries, the Civil Aeronautics Board said Wednesday.This new deal, which is in line with the Philippine government' s open skies policy, will also launch the first direct flights between the Philippines and Sri Lanka.The new agreement is expected make any services that the respective airlines of both countries may plan to operate in the future more viable,CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla said.

Under the new deal, flights between Manila and Colombo will increase from twice to four times a week. Both parties also agreed to remove restrictions on the number of flights to all points outside the Philippine capital.The Philippines also granted fifth freedom rights from points outside Manila to Bangkok, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. This means Sri Lankan airlines can pick up passengers from these secondary routes and bring them to these key Southeast Asian cities.