By Jerome Paunan
MANILA (PIA) — The Philippines and Iceland have signed their first-ever Air Services Agreement (ASA), paving the way for enhanced passenger and cargo connectivity between the two nations. The signing followed the successful Philippines–Iceland Air Negotiation Talks held from August 18 to 19, 2026, in Reykjavik.
The agreement was signed by Assistant Secretary Edgar Badajos of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Director Sigríður Eysteinsdóttir, Chief Negotiator for Air Services Agreements of Iceland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs. This milestone reflects President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to expand international partnerships and strengthen the country’s transportation system for the benefit of millions of Filipinos.
Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez emphasized the importance of the accord in deepening bilateral cooperation.
“This Agreement will serve as the foundation for our future air transportation relationship and will provide our airlines with a framework to explore new opportunities for connectivity between our two countries and, ultimately, between our respective regions,” he said.
“Today, we are not simply concluding our first air negotiations. We are opening a new chapter in Philippine-Iceland relations in the field of civil aviation,” he added.
Director Eysteinsdóttir welcomed the agreement, noting the constructive spirit of the discussions.
“We are very pleased with what we have achieved together. Our discussions have helped us to better understand each other’s priorities and find a way forward,” she said.
Under the ASA, both countries will be entitled to seven flights per week, one flight daily, for passenger and cargo services.
These traffic rights will provide airlines greater flexibility to establish and expand air services based on demand and commercial viability.
The agreement is expected to boost tourism, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges, while opening new opportunities for connectivity between Southeast Asia and the Nordic region.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will continue to coordinate with Icelandic counterparts and aviation stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the agreement.
“May this agreement serve as the beginning of a long and productive partnership, one that will create opportunities for our airlines, benefit our traveling public, and bring our peoples closer together,” Lopez added.
Transportation officials said the signing forms part of the Philippines’ broader efforts to expand international air connectivity and open new aviation markets, particularly in Northern Europe.
The Philippine delegation was led by Secretary Lopez and included officials from the DOTr, DFA, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the Philippine Embassy in Oslo, and the Honorary Consul of the Philippines to Iceland.
On the other hand, the Icelandic delegation was represented by senior officials from the Icelandic Transport Authority and the Ministry of Infrastructure.
Officials said this landmark agreement underscores the Marcos Jr. administration’s commitment to building stronger global partnerships, enhancing mobility, and driving economic growth through improved air connectivity. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
(Photos courtesy of DOTr)
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