PH carriers to expand in Middle East

THURSDAY, January 07, 2016

Domestic carriers remain keen on growing their operations in the Middle East despite rising tensions in the region.Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said it was on schedule to add a new route to Saudi Arabia this month, while budget airline Cebu Paci

Economic risks are being highlighted globally, including the Philippines, which has millions of workers in that region, following a diplomatic crisis triggered by the Saudi execution of a Shiite cleric.

Saudi Arabia broke off diplomatic relations with Iran, a move followed by its allies Bahrain and Sudan. The United Arab Emirates likewise downgraded its diplomatic contingent in Iran, reports overseas showed.

For the two Philippines-based airlines, however, it was business as usual.

“PAL flights slated this month to Kuwait and Jeddah are green and go. The Middle East expansion continues. Kuwait flights commence on Jan. 17 and Jeddah flights, Jan. 19,” PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said in a text message.

Alex Reyes, who heads Cebu Pacific’s long-haul division, said their passenger load in its Middle East routes “remain healthy.”

“We continue to operate scheduled flights to and from Dubai, Kuwait, Doha and Riyadh and remain interested in adding flights to key destinations in the Middle East to cater to the growing travel demand of Filipino communities residing in this region,” Reyes said in a text message.

Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/205140/ph-carriers-to-expand-in-middle-east#ixzz3wWN42OGI