Qatar and Philippines ink an air deal to increase number of flights

Starting October, Qatar Airways is all set to increase the number of its weekly flights from Doha to Manila.

This follows the recently signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) on air services, between Qatar and the Philippines, which amended a 2015 agreement, reported Rappler.com.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced the agreement yesterday, adding that the MOU was signed by Qatar Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Abdullah Al Subaey and The Philippines’ Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation Manuel Antonio Tamayo.

The new MOU will increase traffic rights between Doha and Manila from the current 14 flights per week to 18 flights per week for the designated airlines of each country, reported SunStar.

Qatar Airways currently operates 14 flights per week to Manila and seven per week to Clark, while Philippine Airlines currently operates four flights between Manila and Doha.

Meanwhile, Business World Online reported that the DoTr was calling the new agreement a ‘landmark’ deal since it included a condition for Qatar Airways to have flights from Davao ‘within one ye the r from commencement of the four additional flights to Manila.’

“The inclusion of Davao in the route structure of Qatar Airways will provide much-needed connectivity for Davao to the major markets of the world, especially with Qatar directly connected to 161 international destinations. This connectivity will support Davao’s emergence as a major economic and commercial hub of the Philippines,” said the release.

It is interesting to note that this development has come about at a time when PAL and Cebu Pacific Air earlier pulled out of Middle Eastern routes, citing ‘overcapacity,’ prompting airlines to suspend some of their services.

PAL announced it is suspending its Manila-Abu Dhabi flights starting July 8 as it undertakes ‘route assessment initiatives’ although it will continue flying to Dubai, Doha, Jeddah, Riyadh, Kuwait and Dammam.

Cebu Pacific said it will suspend its long-haul service from Manila to Riyadh, Kuwait and Doha — citing oversupply amid intense competition from Gulf carriers.