THE Philippine trade is expecting a boost in inbound traffic from the Middle East following the new air services agreement inked between the Philippines and the UAE to allow for more flights between the two countries.
The maximum number of weekly flights possible for each country was increased from 28 to 35 in an agreement last month, but the UAE carriers – Emirates or Etihad Airways – will lose the additional flights if they do not fly to Clark or Cebu within a year.
The Philippines also got additional fifth freedom traffic rights to the UK, the US and Saudi Arabia, which will enable Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific (CEB) to fly from Manila to UAE and onward to any country including the three mentioned.
“Having more flights from the UAE to Manila is good. There are times when passengers complain that it’s difficult to get flights to the city,” said Maria Jamella Cas, sales officer for Rajah Tours Middle East, India and Sri Lanka. “It’s even better that UAE carriers are also required to fly direct to Clark and Cebu so that travellers no longer need to spend a night in Manila.”
Teody Espallardo, senior sales manager of Huma Island Resort & Spa, also welcomed the new ASA as it will bolster the efforts of the Philippine Department of Tourism to develop the inbound market from the Middle East for the past seven years.
The availability of more comfortable flight options will likely appeal to the Arab travellers, as PAL and CEB offer only economy class targeted at OFWs to the UAE, commented a travel consultant who requested anonymity.
PAL found the agreement unfair however, with the national carrier issuing a strongly worded statement objecting to the “unnecessary” flight entitlements requested by the UAE as it might hurt its operations on the highly lucrative Manila-Dubai route.
But Carmelo Arcilla, executive director of the Philippines’ Civil Aeronautics Board, who was also part of the negotiating panel, told TTG Asia e-Daily that “the Philippine panel and our carriers view the agreement as more or less fair, as the increase in traffic rights for both sides are minimal” and “would serve also the interest of national connectivity”.
