Province exerts effort to keep Qatar Airways' Doha flights

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Government and some general managers of Cebu’s hotels will exert efforts to prevent the suspension of Qatar Airways’ commercial direct flights from Cebu to Doha which is expected to be implemented this month.

In a conference yesterday with Cebu Governor Gwendloyn Garcia, Vice-Governor Agnes Magpale, Provincial Board, Mactan International Airport Authority (MCIAA) board, Marco Polo Hotel General Manager Hans Hauri and Shangri-La Mactan General Manager Joachim Schutte, Qatar Airways’ country general manager Abdalla Okasha announced that they will suspend their operation on March 24, 2012.

Okasha said they will pull-out their operations from Cebu and will look for another tourist destination because they are not earning profits here due to the costly carrier and international taxes.

Garcia and those present in the conference appealed to Okasha to reconsider their decision.   Okasha said he cannot decide but can recommend to their higher officials.

“It’s not a promise but I will do my best to relay the message to the board,” he said.

He however suggested that Garcia and others send a letter to the board to tackle the issue.

Garcia then accepted the suggestions and asked for their names to send the letter immediately as they have only 22 more days before the suspension of the flights.

The governor hopes Qatar Airways will not terminate their operation as her term office ends saying when Qatar Airways started their operations in Cebu when she also assumed as governor.

She said the route is so important for business and employment. Garcia assured that they will exhaust all remedies to convince Qatar Airways to reconsider the decision with the help of private organizations. (FREEMAN)