EU/Philippines Agreement: air services

PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the Union, the Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines on certain aspects of air services.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision (EU) 2019/825 on the conclusion on behalf of the Union of the Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines on certain aspects of air services.

CONTENT: the Council decided to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines on certain aspects of air services.

The Agreement replaces certain provisions in the existing bilateral air services agreements between Member States and the Republic of the Philippines:

- Article 2 of the Agreement replaces the traditional designation clauses with an EU designation clause, permitting all EU carriers to benefit from the right of establishment;

- Article 5 resolves potential conflicts with the competition rules of the Union.

Other provisions, particularly on aviation fuel taxation and obligatory commercial agreements between airlines, were introduced to ensure compliance with Union law and they serve to amend or complement existing provisions in bilateral air service agreements between Member States and third countries.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 14.5.2019.