UAE, PH to proceed with air talks this month

THE PHILIPPINES is set to hold air talks with the United Arab Emirates at the end of August and possibly increase flights between both jurisdictions amid stiff opposition from domestic carriers.

Jesus Ibay Jr., Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) chief for economic planning and research, said in a text message that the air talks are scheduled from Aug. 27 to 28 in Manila.

The UAE earlier lobbied to hold air talks with the Philippines in January 2015, but Philippine Airlines and budget carrier Cebu Pacific had opposed this, saying the added capacity was not needed. The two also alleged that the state-owned Gulf carriers were operating on an advantage.

CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla said, however, that the Philippine air panel will proceed with the air talks this month due to the need to increase connectivity. The last air talks with the UAE were held in 2012.

Increased capacity would bring added competition for both PAL and Cebu Pacific, which also operate in the Middle East, a popular destination for Filipinos seeking work overseas. PAL and Cebu Pacific officials did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

In a recent statement, Dubai’s Emirates made a pitch for increased flights, saying their Manila-Dubai flights had been operating at full capacity for economy class seats “with no seats left for international tourists and overseas Filipino workers.”

“This represents a significant gap between short supply and huge demand for seats,” said Emirates, which flies twice per day between Manila and Dubai and is seeking a third daily flight.

“The number of Filipino workers in Dubai and the UAE continues to increase. The UAE remains the most preferred country in the Middle East and the Gulf Cooperation Council   for employment for Filipinos,” Emirates said.

Currently, there are approximately 850,000 Filipinos residing in Dubai and that figure is expected to increase in the next five years, it added.

“The upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai is also expected to generate more than 275,000 new jobs in the hospitality, IT, engineering and medical services sectors, offering more opportunities for Filipinos. This ever-increasing OFW passenger traffic is consistently ascending, thus creating exceptionally strong demand for seats on the route,” Emirates said.