President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed support for expanding direct air links between Russia and the Philippines, particularly to major tourist destinations, as part of efforts to boost tourism, trade, and people to people exchanges between the two countries.
Speaking to reporters in Kazan, Russia, on Thursday, Marcos said he strongly supports initiatives to increase direct flights connecting Russian cities to destinations in the Philippines.
“Certainly, yeah. Very strong. Yes. Absolutely,” the President said when asked whether he backs efforts to establish more direct flights from Russia to Philippine destinations.
Marcos said the proposal goes beyond tourism, noting that increased connectivity would benefit both Filipinos and Russians seeking to travel, conduct business, and strengthen ties.
“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.
The President added that greater mobility between the two countries could also contribute to stronger commercial and economic relations.
He cited the development of an air service arrangement between Irkutsk in Russia and Kalibo, Aklan as a positive step toward expanding connectivity.
Marcos also noted that Cebu Pacific is exploring the possibility of opening additional routes that could further improve travel access between the Philippines and Russia.
Philippine Ambassador to Russia Igor Garlit Bailen said Russian carrier IrAero began operating chartered flights last year from Irkutsk and Khabarovsk in Siberia and the Russian Far East to Kalibo.
According to Marcos, the availability of direct flights remains one of the most important factors influencing tourism growth and travel volume between countries.
“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.
The President said the government’s continued development of regional airports is intended to allow foreign visitors to travel directly to destinations outside Metro Manila.
“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,” Marcos added.
The President made the remarks while attending activities in Russia, where he also participated in discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in various sectors between the two countries.
Photo courtesy of PCO
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