Shenzhen Airlines, Arkia seek Philippine permits for scheduled international flights

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Shenzhen, Arkia seek PH flight permits

Highlights

Shenzhen Airlines and Arkia Israeli Airlines scheduled hearings with the Civil Aeronautics Board on Nov. 24 and Nov. 12 for foreign carrier permits to operate regular flights to the Philippines.
Arkia targets launching direct Manila-Tel Aviv services on Jan. 3, 2027, pending regulatory approval, while Shenzhen Airlines seeks to expand beyond its existing Manila-Shenzhen route.
The Department of Transportation's push for more international air agreements coincides with AirAsia Philippines raising Manila-Kaohsiung service to seven weekly flights by October to meet growing demand.

Regulatory hearings and route plans

As reported by BusinessWorld, citing Civil Aeronautics Board notices, hearings are set for Shenzhen Airlines' application on Nov. 24 and for Arkia Israeli Airlines' petition on Nov. 12 as both carriers seek foreign air carrier permits for scheduled international services to and from the Philippines.

These permits are required for foreign airlines to operate regular international flights in the Philippine market. Arkia has previously announced plans to launch direct Manila-Tel Aviv services, subject to regulatory approval, and is targeting the start of those flights on Jan. 3, 2027.

Shenzhen Airlines already operates flights between Manila and Shenzhen, China. The available CAB information does not specify the operational details covered by its latest application.

Broader push to expand air connectivity

The applications align with efforts by the Department of Transportation to expand the Philippines' air service agreements with other countries and improve international air connectivity. Additional foreign carrier access could widen route options for travelers and support traffic growth through Manila.

Separately, AirAsia Philippines plans to raise the frequency of its Manila-Kaohsiung service to seven times a week from four to meet demand for international travel. In a statement on Wednesday, the low-cost carrier said the added flights are scheduled to be introduced within October, while it also works with Taiwan's Pingtung County Government to promote more destinations ahead of the holiday travel season.

AirAsia Philippines President and General Manager Anna Victoria M. Lu said Taiwan remains the airline's top route as more Filipinos show strong interest in overseas travel. She said the carrier's partnership with the Pingtung County Government is intended to open more destination options for travelers during the holiday planning period.

Our earlier report on the Philippines’ expanding access to Malaysia’s halal market explained how a new JAKIM-recognized domestic certification body widened export pathways for Filipino firms. It highlighted that adding more internationally accepted certifiers can strengthen the country’s wider strategy to grow halal-linked trade, tourism, and investment beyond simple compliance.

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