CAB rejects Emirates request for flight extension

MANILA, Philippines - The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) rejected yesterday the request of Emirates for another extension of its third daily flight between Manila and Dubai.

Victor Jose Luciano, a member of the CAB Board, said the regulator has denied the request of Emirates for another 30-day extension for its third daily flight for the Manila-Dubai-Manila route as the last extension granted by the regulator last month is scheduled to expire today.

“On the matter of the request of Emirates for extension of its third daily Manila-Dubai route, the Board denied the petition,” Luciano said.

For his part, CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla confirmed in a text message that Emirates indeed sought another 30-day extension for its third daily flight between Manila and Dubai.

“Emirates applied for another 30-day extension,” Arcilla said.

Last Dec. 23, CAB granted the third extension for the third daily flight of Emirates for the Manila-Dubai-Manila route until Jan. 26 so as not to inconvenience overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) in the Middle East.

During the CAB Board last month, Arcilla 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,” Arcilla said.

CAB turned down last October the petition of Emirates to use the unutilized frequency of PAL until March next year.

The Middle Eastern carrier filed an appeal before the CAB.

CAB granted Emirates a 30-day extension to continue its third daily flight between Manila and Dubai until Nov. 26.