Emirates vows uninterrupted travel plans with 3rd daily flight

MANILA, Philippines - Emirates vowed yesterday to provide Filipinos living and working as well as tourists in the Middle East uninterrupted travel plans during the Christmas season after the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) gave the airline another 30 days to mount a third daily flight between Manila and Dubai.

Barry Brown, divisional senior vice president for Commercial Operations East of Emirates, said the airline is grateful to the CAB for granting another 30-day extension for its third daily flight to Dubai via Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

“It is a positive decision that will provide passengers with uninterrupted travel plans, offer increased options for travel during the busy festive season, and one which will be welcomed by the thousands of Filipino travellers and businesses who prefer to use our services to get to Dubai and beyond,” Brown said.

According to Brown Emirates would continue to work closely with the CAB after it was allowed to mount its third daily flight between Manila and Dubai until Jan. 26.

“At Emirates, we remain committed to the Philippines and will continue to work closely with the CAB to ensure a satisfactory outcome for all stakeholders. We hope that the interests of consumers and the business community will continue to prevail,” he added.

CAB gave Emirates another 30-day extension for its third daily flight between Manila and Dubai despite strong opposition from national flag carrier Philippine Airlines Inc. (PAL) and budget airline Cebu Air Inc. (Cebu Pacific).

CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla earlier said the regulator granted the third extension for the third daily flight of Emirates for the Manila - Dubai route until Jan. 26 so as not to inconvenience overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) in the Middle East.

“The Board’s action is premised on the need to assure that passengers, especially the big volume of OFWs traveling  to and from the Phil during the holiday season would not be inconvenienced or dislocated,” Arcilla said.

He pointed out that the third 30-day extension would be the final extension given to the Gulf carrier.

“The Board granted Emirates on an extra bilateral basis a final and inextendible period of 30 days, or until Jan 26 to operate a third daily frequency,” he added.