Emirates Airline pushes for new round of air talks

Emirates Airline is pushing for another round of air talks between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Philippines as it wants to add more flights to the country as existing services are now at full capacity.

Satish Sethi, Emirates country manager for the Philippines, said in a briefing yesterday the carrier is hopeful there would be another round of air talks between the UAE and the Philippines after negotiations held in April this year ended in a deadlock.

“It is unfortunate we could not reach a decision at the end of the talks. But it is still not a closed door. The Department of Transportation has been very flexible with Emirates and they have been very supportive… It’s work in progress and we’re hoping for the talks to happen again soon,” he said.

The carrier wants another round of air talks to be held as it intends to have more flights particularly from Dubai to Manila, with its service on the route at full capacity.

“We did want extra flights to Manila and we also understand that the airport has its constraints,” Sethi said.

Due to the congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Sethi said Emirates is proposing to operate the Airbus 380 for flights between Dubai and Manila to be able to fly more passengers.

He said the airport authority, however, has advised the carrier it could not immediately allow Emirates to operate the Airbus 380 for its flights.

“It requires some enhancements and we are in discussions with them (airport authority). We have shared our feelings about it. We also offered assistance in terms of joint inspection of facilities,” he said.