President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expressed support for efforts to expand direct air connectivity between Russia and the Philippines, particularly through additional flights to major tourist destinations to strengthen tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
“Certainly, yeah. Very strong. Yes. Absolutely,” Marcos said in a media interview in Kazan, Russia, when asked if he supports the expansion of direct flights from Russia to Philippine destinations.
He said such developments go beyond tourism, noting their broader economic impact.
“But you know, we’re not only talking about tourism. Of course, it’s an important part that we would like many more to – both ways for more Filipinos to go to see Russia, for more Russians to come and visit the Philippines,” he said.
Marcos added that increased travel flows, whether purely commercial or through hybrid arrangements, contribute to trade growth and economic activity.
He cited the emerging air service arrangement between Irkutsk and Kalibo, Aklan, as a positive initial development and noted that Cebu Pacific is also exploring the possibility of expanding its routes.
Philippine Ambassador to Russia Igor Garlit Bailen said Siberian carrier IrAero began operating chartered flights last year from Irkutsk and Khabarovsk in the Russian Far East to Kalibo, Aklan.
Marcos stressed that flight availability is the most important factor driving tourism and cross-border travel volumes.
“So, we will continue to find ways. And this has become the effect of our policy of developing regional airports so that our visitors – the visitors that come to the Philippines need not go through Manila necessarily, unless they really want to go to Manila,” he said.
“But if they want to go somewhere else, then we will start to see these regional airports becoming available as stops so that the tourists, especially, can go directly to their final destination,” he added.