PH, Mexico to modernize air transport agreement to boost trade, tourism
The Philippines and Mexico have reached an agreement to modernize the two nations' existing air transport pact to further boost their trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchange.

Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Demetrio R. Tuason and Mexican Minister of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport Jorge Arganis Díaz Leal signed the Air Services Agreement between the Philippines and the Government of the United Mexican States in Mexico City on Dec. 14.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the agreement aims to modernize the existing Air Transport Agreement between the two countries which was signed on Nov. 21, 1952, and entered into force on Dec. 3, 1952.
"Both sides are optimistic that the agreement will improve connectivity between the Philippines and Mexico, particularly in terms of trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges," the DFA said in a statement on Dec. 20.
In 2020, Mexico ranked as the Philippines’ 24th trading partner out of 225, with total trade amounting to USD 660 million, making it the second largest trading partner of the Philippines in Latin America next to Brazil. The balance of trade has been in favor of the Philippines since 2015.
In the same year, Mexico was the Philippines´ third largest tourism market in Latin America, following Brazil and Argentina.
However, due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, there was a significant decrease in tourist arrivals from Mexico from 5,154 in 2019 to 983 in 2020.