Passenger and cargo travel between the Philippines and Iceland is set to become significantly smoother following the successful conclusion of the Philippines-Iceland Air Negotiation Talks and the signing of an Initial Air Services Agreement (ASA) on August 19, 2026.
The landmark agreement was formally signed by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Edgar Badajos and Sigríður Eysteinsdóttir, Director and Chief Negotiator for Air Services Agreements at Iceland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
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Presidential Mandate: The talks align with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to broaden the Philippines’ international partnerships, strengthen domestic transportation systems, and deliver global benefits to Filipinos.
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Strategic Aviation Framework: The newly signed pact establishes an allowance of seven (7) weekly flights (one flight per day) for both passenger and cargo services, granting airlines commercial flexibility based on market demand.
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Nordic Expansion: This milestone marks a major step in the Philippines’ ongoing strategy to open new aviation markets within the Nordic region, driving growth in tourism, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.
Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez highlighted the historic nature of the accord during the negotiations.
“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. 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,” stated Sec. Lopez.
Echoing this sentiment, Icelandic Chief Negotiator Sigríður Eysteinsdóttir praised the constructive atmosphere of the bilateral meetings, noting that the discussions successfully aligned both nations’ priorities for future cooperation.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will work closely with its Icelandic counterpart and key aviation stakeholders to ensure the smooth implementation of the agreement and the future expansion of air services.
The high-level Philippine delegation was led by Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez and included DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Philippine Ambassador to Norway Enrico Fos, alongside representatives from the DFA, DOTr, 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 Consulate of the Philippines to Iceland.
The Icelandic delegation featured key officials including Kristin Helga Markúsdóttir, Deputy Director General of the Icelandic Transport Authority, and Vala Hrönn Viggósdóttir, Legal Advisor of the Ministry of Infrastructure.
