PH Seeks Canada for Aviation Investments

The Philippines is seeking to attract investments from the Canadian aviation industry.

Increasing MRO investment will help address the growing demand for such services as air traffic expands. I Photo: JG Summit Holdings

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque said the specific aviation segment they are targeting is maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO).

“There are already MROs here, but we want to strengthen them,” she said. The DTI chief explained that increasing MRO investment will help address the growing demand for such services as air traffic expands.

She noted, “Even Cebu Pacific and AirAsia told me they are expanding their MROs so they can now repair planes from other airlines. We want to encourage more airline companies to establish MRO facilities here.”

Roque cited a report by the Manila International Airport Authority, which showed that 114,793 international flights arrived at and departed from Ninoy Aquino International Airport in 2024—an increase of 11.6%.

Additionally, the Manila gateway served 178,640 domestic flights last year, up 6.3%.

She said demand for pilots is also increasing.

Roque also announced that the DTI is set to inaugurate a small and medium enterprise (SME) hub in Toronto to showcase Philippine products that comply with Canadian regulations and are ready for export.

Data shows that around 1 million citizens of Philippine origin live in Canada, while a growing number of Filipino citizens visit family and friends there, study at Canadian institutions, or immigrate.

In terms of trade, Canada-Philippines bilateral merchandise trade totaled $3.4 billion in 2023, up from $3.1 billion in 2022.

Canadian merchandise exports to the Philippines in 2023 amounted to $1.2 billion, while Canadian merchandise imports from the Philippines were valued at $2.2 billion. Canada’s stock of direct investments in the Philippines in 2021 was approximately $983 million.

On December 5, 2024, Canada and the Philippines announced the launch of exploratory discussions for a potential bilateral free trade agreement.

Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service has been promoting Canadian technologies and solutions in the Philippines.

Sectors of focus include information and communications technology (ICT), mining, infrastructure, clean technologies (including renewable energy), agriculture, education, climate finance, defense and security, and creative industries.