CAB allows Qatar to mount flights to RP

Government will allow Qatar to initially mount chartered flights to the Philippines via the Diosdado Macapagal Airport in Clark Field, Pampanga.

Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) vice-chairperson Adelberto Yap told The STAR that the Philippine and Qatar panels, composed of both government and airline industry representatives, have just finished their bilateral air talks.

He said that during the negotiations, the two panels identified the different routes, frequencies, capacities of the Qatar flights that will be allowed to enter the Philippines.

The terms have just been referred to Qatar’s civil aviation authorities after which it will be sent back to the Philippines for final approval.

Among those who participated in the bilateral talks with Qatar are local aviation authorities led by the CAB, airline company representatives, and those from the Clark Development Authority (CDC).

Yap said they will first allow Qatar to mount chartered flights. Then they will determine whether Qatar will be permitted to offer regular flights.

Towards the end of this month, bilateral air talks will also be conducted between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates, Japan, and China.

It was learned that the negotiations with United Arab Emirates will be held April 29 and 30, and its official flag carrier Emirates will be actively involved in the negotiations.

In the case of Japan, Yap said the talks will involve renegotiation of existing air agreements. "This will include negotiation of the frequencies as well as the different points, considering that many of the airports have already changed locations," he said.

As to China, the CAB vice-chairperson and head of the Air Transportation Office (ATO) said the talks will expand the existing agreements. "While before, we were just talking about Beijing, now we have new destinations," Yap explained.

The Philippine government, according to Yap, is holding these discussions and entertaining requests from foreign governments to allow their airlines to fly to the Philippines since this would promote tourism here.

As part of the negotiations, the Philippines will also be asking for certain concessions, such that it be allowed to similarly mount flights to these foreign destinations.