Maldives and the Philippines to discuss flights between the two countries

The civil aviation departments of the Maldives and Philippines have started on the road to discussions to start flights between the two countries.

Philippine media outlet, Business Mirror reported that the Chairman of the Maldivian Civil Aviation Authority, Ibrahim Faizal has expressed interest to be begin flights.

"We prefer open sky. It means everyone can fly without limits," Faizal told the Business Mirror. "What we want is not based on seats per flight, as far as we are concerned, as the Maldives has an open-sky policy."

According to the Executive Director of the Civil Aeronautics Board of Philippines, Carmelo L. Arcilla, the talks is targeted to beheld in the second quarter of the year in Manila.

"We want to forge an aviation relationship with them. We have nothing to lose."Arcilla told the Business Mirror.

Tourism statistics show 10,532 tourists visited the Maldives from the Philippines in 2017 and 9,551 tourists in 2016.