The Icelandic authorities have negotiated air traffic rights with the Philippines. A Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries, together with the text of a new Air Services Agreement, was initialled on 18 August following bilateral negotiations held in Reykjavík.

Iceland initiated the negotiations. Until now, no air services agreement had been in force between the two countries.

The agreement and the Air Services Agreement establish the legal framework for air services between Iceland and the Philippines. They include provisions on reciprocal traffic rights, airline cooperation, passenger and cargo services, aviation safety, and aviation security.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding enables the provisional application of the provisions of the Air Services Agreement pending its formal signature and entry into force in accordance with the respective procedures of the two states.

Edgar B. Badajos, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines and Chair of the Philippine negotiating delegation, signed the memorandum on behalf of the Government of the Philippines. Sigríður Eysteinsdóttir, Head of Division at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Iceland’s chief negotiator for air services agreements, signed on behalf of the Government of Iceland.

In addition to Sigríður Eysteinsdóttir, Iceland’s negotiating delegation included Vala Hrönn Viggósdóttir, Legal Adviser at the Ministry of Infrastructure, and Kristín Helga Markúsdóttir, Director of Legal Affairs at the Icelandic Transport Authority (ICETRA).