More countries set flights to DMIA

More countries have expressed strong interest in bringing flights to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) as another carrier had included the Clark ecozone in its destinations in the recently concluded RP-Qatar air consultation talks.

According to the Presidential Commission on the Central Luzon Growth Corridor (PCCLGC), the third air talks was an offshoot of President Arroyo’s directive to the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and Civil Aviation Board (CAB) to include Clark in all negotiations for air service agreements with other countries.

Both the Philippine and Qatari delegations have agreed to restore the two Doha-Clark frequency entitlements which was provided in the June 6, 1997 confidential memorandum of understanding (CMU) without any time limitation, said the commission.

Doha is the largest city in Qatar.

The two entitlements would mean restoration of Qatar’s interest to use Clark for two commercial flights a week, using aircraft no bigger than Airbus A340.

Jose Luciano, executive vice president of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), said that DMIA is expected to have at least four frequency entitlements from Qatar Airways, one of the leading airlines in the Middle East.

Also, two more Middle East countries, the United Arab Emirates and State of Bahrain, are set to hold air consultation talks with the Philippine air panel, which will include CDC officials, the PCCLGC disclosed. — Benjie Villa