Gains Slots in Manila
31 May 2015
31 May 2015
Clark International Airport will lose Qatar Airways as the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) announced Friday that it has expanded Air Service Agreement (ASA) with Qatar allowing fourteen (14) flights per week to Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The revised Memorandum (MOU) signed on May 28 in Doha, granted increase of 6 more flights per week between Manila and Doha. The parties also agreed to accommodate unlimited flights between Doha and other international airports in the Philippines covering Clark, Cebu and Davao, except Manila.
Previous ASA awarded in 2009 allows 8 flights to Manila and 14 flights per week to Clark and Cebu.
CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla said that 14 flights to NAIA is already awarded to Qatar Airways while 4 new slots will be awarded to Cebu Pacific (CEB) which will start flight services between Manila and Doha on June 5, 2015. Both Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific will enjoy 7 slots each per week.
Philippine Airlines is the sole oppositor to the expansion as Cebu Pacific wanted more flights to Doha joining Qatar Airways bid. PAL said existing entitlements to Qatar was already enough considering the number of Overseas Filipinos in Qatar currently about 250,000.
Qatar Airways will reflect flights from Clark to Manila beginning on its winter schedule.
The revised Memorandum (MOU) signed on May 28 in Doha, granted increase of 6 more flights per week between Manila and Doha. The parties also agreed to accommodate unlimited flights between Doha and other international airports in the Philippines covering Clark, Cebu and Davao, except Manila.
Previous ASA awarded in 2009 allows 8 flights to Manila and 14 flights per week to Clark and Cebu.
CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla said that 14 flights to NAIA is already awarded to Qatar Airways while 4 new slots will be awarded to Cebu Pacific (CEB) which will start flight services between Manila and Doha on June 5, 2015. Both Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific will enjoy 7 slots each per week.
Philippine Airlines is the sole oppositor to the expansion as Cebu Pacific wanted more flights to Doha joining Qatar Airways bid. PAL said existing entitlements to Qatar was already enough considering the number of Overseas Filipinos in Qatar currently about 250,000.
Qatar Airways will reflect flights from Clark to Manila beginning on its winter schedule.
Why? I read somewhere that Qatar's Clark flights had high load factors, and many of its passengers come from Luzon. If they can't develop Clark as a Manila alternative (especially with Sangley now on the way), couldn't they at least develop it as the gateway to Central Luzon?
ReplyDeletehigh load factor doesnt mean profits. im not really sure if CRK really has high load factors but for sure it has a very low yield.
ReplyDeleteBad news for me, and Qatar airways have not informed as yet.
ReplyDeleteLooks like we will have to use the worlds worse airport again, of which I hate with a passion.
Luckily I am moving from UAE back to the Philippines. Business class flights from Abu Dhabi to Clark via Doha, was 2 to 3,000 dirhams cheaper than flying into Manila (on Qatar, Etihad, or Emirates).
ReplyDeleteWell I will start flying with Cathay to HongKong and then either DragonAir or Cebu Pacific to Clark. Am not flying through Manila anymore if I can avoid it
ReplyDeleteCannot agree with you more about avoiding MNL as the arrival experience of that airport is beyond atrocious (and that's being kind), but many of us have to choice if we are continuing to other domestic destinations outside Luzon. :(
DeleteCertainly MNL is the correct airport for anyone heading to Metro Manila our southbound. CRK makes sense only for those looking to travel northward. Please note that Qatar may support organizations that are not helpful to the Philippines. Pinoys should consider buying tickets with carriers that are freedom-friendly and support the people of the country.
ReplyDeletei say saving PInoys money by selling them cheaper tickets is very supportive
ReplyDeleteThe atrocious state of MNL NAIS is a, well-known, given. But for international passengers coming to the Philippines for the first time, they're going to have their initial experience,of the place,at the airport, and currently that first impression is a very negative one. Imagine from the the perspective of the two types of foreign travelers-business & pleasure. The holiday traveler, is probably continuing on to a beach destination'(Boracay or like) and they're going home in one/two weeks'. But to a foreign business traveller/investor, whether consciously or not, the airport experience has the detrimental effect rather than a positive one bestowing confidence in operating new ventures or financial investment in that market . Though Clark is supposed to alleviate air congestion, the reallocation of slots by Qatar Air to MNL is a telling metric of market/passenger demand. Cebu would be a more ideal alternative international entry point and so still hoping for direct flights to/from US/Canada/Europe to CEB. Heard rumors of possible UNITED 787 service to CEB from SFO...but that's another topic
ReplyDeleteQatar Airways is adding back the old afternoon flight it used to code share with PAL starting October 25, 2015. Twice daily Doha – Manila flight will be operated by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
ReplyDeleteQR932 DOH0135 – 1510MNL 77W D
QR928 DOH0845 – 2215MNL 77W D
QR929 MNL0001 – 0505DOH 77W D
QR933 MNL1750 – 2235DOH 77W D
Meanwhile, Its morning flight to Manila - Clark is still loaded in the GDS for the winter schedule. We were told the Clark flight is almost fully booked until January of next year.
Who said Clark will lose Qatar Airways?
DeleteAn airline insider in Makati. Could be that the memo from Doha changed. Latest word however is that it is still a go unless it can keep its booking for S16. Word has it that CRK operation is subsidized by profits generated in MNL.
DeleteNot true! Qatar Airways will stay in Clark. I just took Qatar Airways from Clark and I was surprised that the flight was full unlike last year. We the OFWs from Northern and Central Luzon areas chose Clark rather than NAIA.
ReplyDelete