CAB slaps P1.8-M fine on Emirates

MANILA, Philippines - The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) slapped a P1.8-million fine on Emirates for selling tickets for the Manila-Dubai route without prior approval from the regulator.

Carmelo Arcilla, executive director of CAB, said in a text message to reporters that Emirates was penalized for violating the rules when it sold services until October next year.

Arcilla said Emirates is fully aware that it was only granted a 30-day extension or until Dec. 26 to operate three daily flights between Manila and Dubai after the first 30-day extension given to the airline expired last Nov. 26.

“The law prohibits an airline from selling flight services without authority to operate such flight, obviously for reasons of public policy that seeks to protect the public from the hazards arising from the uncertainty and unreliability of an unauthorized flight,” he added.

National flag carrier Philippine Airlines Inc. (PAL) of taipan Lucio Tan and budget airline Cebu Air Inc. (Cebu Pacific) of tycoon John Gokongwei are up in arms over what they describe as excessive flights being mounted by Emirates for the Manila-Dubai route.

The carriers accused Emirates of violating Republic Act 776 also known as the Civil Aeronautics Act of the Philippines for allegedly selling tickets for the Dubai-Manila-Dubai routes until October next year even without the approval of CAB.

Likewise, the local carriers said CAB violated Section 3 of Executive Order No. 29 after it granted “unwarranted” extra flights to Emirates.