DOT Taps International Air Transport Association (IATA) For Creation Of Aviation Database

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has tapped the trade association of the world’s airlines, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to create a data base on aviation that can be used to evaluate where the demand is, determine city pairing and what the underserved routes are to the Philippines.

DOT Route Development Team Head Erwin Balane told reporters in an interview that the department was currently trying to address all the requirements under the terms of reference.

“We are trying to address all the requirements under the terms of reference so that before the opening of Routes Asia we would be able to complete aviation data for sharing to stakeholders in the Philippines,” Balane said.

Routes Asia is an aviation event that brings together a range of airlines, airports and tourism authorities, including some of the largest carriers from the whole Asian region.

Around 96 airlines, 169 airports, 12 tourism authorities, 17 aviation data suppliers from Europe, North America and South Africa attending the event slated on March 6 to 8, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Balane further said that it would take IATA around two months to complete the database.

“Eventually when we address all the requirements, in two months’ time they (IATA) will be able to give the database to us already,” he added.

DOT Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. earlier stressed the importance of formulating an aviation database to help the department in crafting an enhanced aviation strategy for the Philippines.

Bengzon further said that this would help the department capture a larger market share of the international outbound travelers.

“…With both local and foreign carriers mounting both new routes and upgrading frequencies, we are confident that these direct links will stimulate stronger traffic from our country’s major source markets,” he said.

In a statement, DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez pointed out how the Philippines relied heavily on air connectivity more than any other country in the region.

“…Opening new routes and services is the best way of spreading the full dividends of tourism to every Filipino as it assures new opportunities for employment, business, trade and investment,” Jimenez said.

The DOT chief also said that central to the department’s job of promoting tourist destinations across the country is to make sure that tourists get to see them in the most convenient and seamless manner. (PNA) RMA/ANP