President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Wednesday the government might be forced to implement a “partial open skies" policy if the trouble at the country's flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) would worsen.

In a briefing, Aquino said that the government will have to side with the interest of the majority which is the riding public if PAL's trouble would continue. He said foreign airlines would be allowed to service routes which the flag carrier fails to serve in case the problem concerning pilots and ground staff escalates.

Noting the experience of Bali, Indonesia whose number of tourists grew from 30,000 visitors to three million when it adopted an “open skies” policy, the country may also benefit from the aviation principle which allows foreign airlines to operate unlimited services in another country.

Aquino said that with the projection that the current three million tourists visiting the country annually growing to six million in about two years, this could translate to a substantial revenue for the government. He cited a study that says that one tourist contributes $1,000 to the economy.

“There is a theory that says ease of travel in the Philippines greatly enhances the tourism potential of our country. Let's not make it difficult for visitors to come here,” he said.

Aquino said that a partial open skies policy has been implemented in the country in the late 90's.

Having even a total open skies policy or a partial open skies policy is already being studied. We already have certain airlines that will make up for the slot in case the flag carrier is not in a position to fulfill its obligations," Aquino said.

Aquino warned both the PAL management and its employees to think things over and for the best resolution to the issue. The government, he said, has done its part in resolving the issue as the Labor Department continues to be on top of the situation.

“So I'm appealing to both sides, if you're thinking of the current issues, think of the future issues, if effectively you have failed to live up to your obligations to the people, government will be forced to adopt a policy that will have to side with the riding public rather than the interest of one corporation,” he said.

Aquino said the Tourism and the Transportation Departments are already conducting meetings with potential companies who could pick up the slack of PAL if necessary.

“That is not a plan. We're very, very close to implementing it if it's necessary,” Aquino said, noting the importance of the role PAL plays in the field of tourism and commerce.