PHL, Israel Sign Air Services Agreement

The Philippines and Israel signed on Monday the Air Services Agreement (ASA) which will make Filipinos’ pilgrimage to the Holy Land an easier one.

Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Abaya and Israel Ambassador Menashe Bar On signed the agreement.

Israel is the biggest tourist destination of Filipinos in the Eastern Mediterranean Europe. Because there are no direct flights, Israelis and Filipinos have often opted to travel to easier destinations wherein most of the connecting flights are situated in.

Today during the pope’s visit to Israel this agreement is being signed here in the Philippines.

This agreement will allow Filipinos the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the pope and make the pilgrimage to the Holy Land an easier one.

The agreement is expected to encourage both countries to explore each tourist destinations as well as provide more jobs in the economic and tourism sectors. It is anticipated that this will also pave way for more trade opportunities as well as help the thousands of Filipinos working in Israel who wish to come home more often and visit their families.

The event was attended by Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Abaya, Transportation Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla, Assistant Secretary of Middle East and African Affairs Petronila Garcia, Assistant Secretary Jose Eduardo De Vega, Israel Ambassador Menashe Bar On, Deputy Chief of Mission Adam Levene, Consul and 1st Secretary Doron Abudi, Executive Director for Middle East and African Affairs Nathaniel Imperial, Civil Aeronautics Board Executive Director Atty. Carmelo Arcilla and Executive Director Jose Victor Chan Gonzaga.

Image Credit: m.philstar.com