PH to hold air talks with UAE this week

The Philippines is set to hold air talks with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week, a move seen to improve air connectivity between both countries, although the event could turn controversial if gulf carriers are granted additional flights to Manila.

Jesus Ibay Jr., Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) chief for economic planning and research, confirmed in a text message the talks would be held in Cebu on April 27 to 28, 2017.

Domestic airlines had previously opposed talks with the UAE in 2015. The allegation was that UAE carriers Emirates from Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways received heavy subsidies from their home governments, giving them an unfair advantage in terms of ticket pricing over Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, which have operations in the Middle East.

UAE-Philippines entitlements already doubled in 2012 and increased another 25 percent in 2015. At present, carriers from the Philippine and UAE carriers each have 35 flights a week.

PAL and Cebu Pacific earlier opposed additional flights to Manila, saying this would hurt their business and would worsen congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).

PAL and Cebu Pacific declined to comment on the upcoming air talks.

However, a white paper from industry players, which were circulated to media outlets yesterday, said the upcoming air talks should focus on adding flights that would link Davao International Airport to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.