Australia is seeking additional direct flights to the Philippines through the Adelaide gateway.
Visiting Australian Trade and Investment minister Martin Hamilton-Smith said Friday Adelaide Airport Ltd., a member of the first-ever South Australian trade mission to the Philippines, had asked Philippine Airlines to introduce direct flights from Manila to Adelaide.
“While we’re in this trade mission we are meeting with PAL and also with your secondary airline. We’re very keen to see direct flights from Manila to Adelaide,” Hamilton-Smith said at the sidelines of a breakfast forum held at the Shangri-La Hotel Makati City.
“We believe there is enough business in Adelaide to support at least two to three days a week of direct flights, possibly more,” he added.
At least 9,000 Filipino residents and workers shuttle between Manila and Adelaide.
About 10,000 Filipino students are also taking up tertiary programs in Adelaide, another reason for south Australia to push for increased air flights.
Opening up direct connection to Manila also presents opportunities for freight business for food and wine, said Hamilton-Smith.
“Where Bali figures prominently with Adelaide travellers, I think [Adelaide] needs a new tourism destination,” he said
He noted the lack of direct connection flights to Manila, which could provide international linkage to the world.
Adelaide has direct flights to Singapore and Hong Kong in Southeast Asia, Dubai in the Middle East, Bali in Indonesia. Qatar recently opened the Adelaide-Qatar direct route.
Hamilton-Smith said South Australia was keen on developing trade and investment relations with the Philippines, including air agreements, and other areas of cooperation like defense, education, food, healthcare and mining.
He cited bilateral opportunities in the supply of food and wine, commodities such as wheat, dairy, fruit and vegetables, provision for training and education, professional services and development assistance, oil, gas and mineral exploration and related services and technologies and the chance for emerging exporters to join the marketplace.
“We want to have closer engagement with the Philippines which is why we have put together a Southeast Asia team dedicated to the implementation and oversight of our strategy,” said Hamilton-Smith.