PAMPANGA. Laus Group Chairman and CEO Levy Laus gets a token from Haima Automobile Group Co. Ltd. Executive Chairman Lu Guogang after signing a trade agreement. With them during the visit at the LGC headquarters is Williams Dong. (Contributed Photo)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Laus Group of Companies Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Levy Laus lauded the planned partnership between Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines, Monday, July 31.

According to reports, PAL, the Philippine flag carrier signed a letter of intent with Hainan Airlines to explore areas of cooperation, in line with China’s $1.4-trillion “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI) where Hainan Province will be connected to Manila via a maritime belt.

Laus, also chairman emeritus of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., was part of eight signatories of a BRI trade agreement on July 21 at Makati Shagrila Hotel, where he signed a historic deal with one of China’s renowned automotive brands — Haima, which the Laus Auto Group exclusively distributes in the Philippines.

Earlier, Laus noted of China’s BRI as not only encompassing trade exchanges but to promote tourism as well, since Hainan province, with a population of about 10 million, is only about two hours by plane.

“And Hainan has Hainan Airlines, which the Province of Hainan announced would make direct flights to Manila and possibly Clark,” Laus said.

Hainan officials led by Haikou City Mayor Ni Qiang of the Haikou Municipal People’s Government, also signed an agreement with the Philippine Ports Authority for the direct shipment of trade merchandize, both import and export, from Manila to Hainan and vice versa, he said.

The areas of partnership may cover a codeshare agreement or interline agreement. Under a codeshare agreement, the airlines would have a business arrangement which would allow them to share the same flight. Through the codeshare agreement, each airline will publish and market the flight under its own airline designator and flight number.

An interline agreement between two airlines, meanwhile, allows passengers to purchase tickets for a segment of the journey from one airline and another segment from the other carrier.

Through the interline agreement, airlines are able to facilitate travel for passengers that need to get on flights with more than one airline to reach the final destination. (JTD)