UAE approves PAL's 5th Freedom except UK, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait flights

31 January 2009

Abu Dhabi, UAE: The United Arab Emirates represented by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) General Civil Aviation Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Republic of Philippines on 29th January 2009 in Abu Dhabi, to increase flights between the two countries.

The MoU was signed by His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), General Civil Aviation Authority in the UAE and H.E Doroteo A. Reyes II, Undersecretary for Civil Aviation, Department of Transportation and Communications and Chairman, RP Air Negotiating Panel in Philippines. The signing ceremony was attended by H.E Mohamed Ibrahim Al Juwaid, the UAE ambassador to Philippines and H.E Libran N. Cabactulan, Philippines Ambassador to UAE Representatives in addition to representatives from Abu Dhabi Department of Transport, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Sharjah Civil Aviation Department.

The two delegations agreed to confirm the designation of Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, RAK Airways and to designate Fly Dubai as a new National Carrier from UAE Side.

According to the MoU both parties agreed a phased increase of (89) flights weekly passenger as following:

- Five (5) additional weekly frequencies for each side to/from Manila;

- Forty two (42) additional weekly frequencies for each side to/from Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (Clark);

- Twenty one (21) additional weekly frequencies for each side to/from Cebu International Airport; and

- Twenty one (21) additional weekly frequencies for each side to/from other airports in the Philippines.

The two parties agreed to allow the designated airlines of each side to operate up to 600 tons per week per direction to/from Cebu International Airport. And they agreed that the designated airlines of the UAE shall have the right to exercise full fifth freedom traffic rights only up to fourteen (14) weekly frequencies between any intermediate point(s) and Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (Clark) only, and any point(s) beyond, except Japan, the USA and Canada.

The designated airlines of the Philippines shall have the right to exercise full fifth freedom traffic rights only up to fourteen (14) weekly frequencies between any intermediate point(s) and any one point in the UAE only, and any point(s) beyond, except the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Both delegations agreed to hold consultations within one year from the date signing the said MoU.