CAAP Central Office, Pasay City
2 May 2014

After successfully attaining their objectives, President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed his gratitude to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) when he graced its Thanksgiving Celebration held in Pasay City.

In his remarks, the President recalled that it was only last year when he challenged CAAP to make certain that the Philippines will be removed from the watch lists of the European Union (EU) and the United States. Through their persistence and commitment, the EU had lifted the ban on Philippine Airlines flights on July 2013 and did the same for Cebu Pacific last month.

Also last month, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reinstated to Category 1 status the Philippine Civil Aviation, opening the gates for local airlines to expand flights to and from the U.S.

“In the past year, we have seen our local carriers begin to expand their flights and their routes to and from Europe. I am confident that soon, we will be welcoming even more tourists and investors, who will find that, truly, it is more fun in the Philippines, and that the Philippines works,” he said.

Present during the event were CAAP Director General Lt. Gen. William Hotchkiss III (Ret.) and Deputy Director General Capt. John C. Andrews (Ret.).

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