Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime J. Bautista met with Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman and discussed the proposal to add more direct flights between the two countries.

Bautista said additional direct flights between the Philippines and Canada will bolster trade, tourism and economic ties between the countries.

Air Canada was reported to have been eyeing additional direct flights between the Philippines and Canada as part of its Asia-Pacific route expansion, and Bautista said the move will pave the way for the recovery of the air transport between the two countries.

“We are ramping up linkages with other international destinations. Our aim is to launch and expand new routes of flight networks in various parts of the world,” Bautista said.

Hartman, for his part, expressed optimism that the flights expansion will pan out immediately to cater to the increasing demand to and from the North American region.

During the Aviation Summit 2024 last month, Bautista said the transportation department is expected to launch new routes to other countries to “provide travelers flexibility in going to more international destinations while attracting drones of foreign tourists to explore the country.”

On the other hand, direct flights between the Philippines and France will be available starting December 8 as part of the Asia-Pacific route expansion.