Double-talk behind open skies policy.

Byline: Neal H. Cruz

NOW WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE DOUBLE-talk in open skies which was sold to us by the Americans and their Filipino lackeys as the key to our tepid tourism growth. The policy means simply that Philippine skies will be open to carriers of other countries and, conversely, the skies of other countries will be open to Philippine carriers. Travel between countries will then be easier and cheaper, according to this reasoning.

It is not happening that way, however. This policy has been with us for several years already but tourists are not coming in droves to the Philippines. Foreign airlines are not bringing foreign tourists to our shores, they are bringing Filipinos to their shores. And while Philippine skies are open to US carriers, American skies are closed to Philippine carriers.

The right to fly …