This is Terminal 2 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, the Philippines. (Airport's official website)

By Koh Hyunjeong

Most restrictions have been lifted on flights between provincial airports and the Philippine capital of Manila.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on July 8 said that in aviation talks with the Philippines from July 3-4 in Manila, it agreed to liberalize air routes between such airports and Manila excluding Incheon International Airport.

Routes between both countries had been limited to 20,000 seats per week, but the meeting decided to raise this ceiling. Thus provincial airports in Korea can run an unlimited number of flights to and from those in Manila.

In addition, the weekly cap of 20,000 seats on such routes was raised to 30,000, but only for Incheon-Manila flights. So except for flights connecting each country's capitals, air traffic between the two countries was liberalized.

"We expect invigoration of provincial airports and enhanced convenience for air transportation users," said Kim Young-guk, director-general of the ministry's Aviation Policy Bureau. "We will continue doing our best to raise convenience for international flight passengers."

hjkoh@korea.kr