DUBAI-PH FLIGHTS NEARING PREPANDEMIC LEVELS

Emirates is seeing passenger traffic between the Philippines and Dubai approaching prepandemic levels with the resurgence of air travel following the reopening of borders.

In a statement on Friday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag carrier said passenger traffic in and out of the country between June 1 and Sept. 12 had reached about 93 percent of prepandemic figures.

“We are very optimistic given our great performance in recent months,” Emirates Philippines country manager Saeed Abdulla Miran said.

“With the economy’s steady recovery, we are confident that we will be able to sustain this momentum throughout the rest of the year and even 2023,” he added.

Miran recently said that they plan to add more flight capacities for its Philippine operations to take advantage of the return of traveler confidence.

The number of additional flights, however, would still depend on the government’s decision and the demand, he explained.

Currently, Emirates services 25 weekly flights to Dubai from Manila, Clark and Cebu.

Meanwhile, Emirates announced on Friday its partnership with United Airlines, which will allow the passengers of the UAE flag carrier to be connected to about 200 cities in the Americas through Chicago, San Francisco and Houston.

United is set to launch new direct flights between New York/Newark and Dubai starting March 2023.

“Two of the biggest, and best-known airlines in the world are joining hands to fly people better to more places, at a time when travel demand is rebounding with a vengeance,” said Emirates Airline president Sir Tim Clark.

“This agreement unites two iconic, flag carrier airlines who share a common commitment to creating the best customer experience in the skies,” United CEO Scott Kirby said.