UAE Filipinos hope for ease of travel as Etihad and Philippine Airlines ink deal

The deal between Etihad Airways and Philippine Airlines could lead to more flights between the countries and expansion to domestic routes to more than 40 regional airports.

ABU DHABI // Filipinos in the UAE have welcomed a new deal between Etihad Airways and Philippine Airlines, hoping that it may lead to an improved service to their home country.

Etihad said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) could lead to increased flights from Abu Dhabi to Manila, as well as the possibility of expanding code-share agreements to the 40 regional airports within the Philippines.

While residents say the current service is adequate, the fact that the Philippines is made up of more than 7,000 islands means it is difficult to travel from the capital to the provinces.

“That’s the problem for some Filipinos to get from Manila to where they live. It takes a lot of time but the increase in connecting flights would be good for people who live in these areas because they have difficulty catching connecting flights.” said Vicky Mikkelsen, 46, founder of the ABC Nursery in Abu Dhabi.

“For me, since I live in Manila, this is good because sometimes it’s quite difficult to find a flight from Manila. But now I hope I can now guarantee a trip back,” she said.

“Maybe for my friends that live outside Manila it is good, you know, sometimes they have to travel for so long to get home.”

Filipino expat Mike Guzon has lived in Abu Dhabi for 22 years and has made the journey home more than 50 times.

With Etihad Airways launching their Manila service in 2006 with four weekly flights, he noted before that flights from the capital were a lot more scarce.

“I travel very frequently to Manila but there used to be a time when Philippines flights were cancelled because of the low turnout. We could not get home without [taking] a very difficult route.” said the 60-year-old electrical supervisor for Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations.

“The potential in this new cooperation is great. We don’t have to limit our time of leave because now the increase in flights means we can get the most out of our trips back home.”

He added at peak times — such as the period over the Christmas and Easter holidays — it was often difficult to book a flight.

“It would be a good thing if they increased the number of flights so we don’t have to limit our time of leave, which means that anytime we want to go we can go.”

Last year, the Abu Dhabi-Manila route was Etihad’s second busiest with 547,68 passengers. The MoU could possibly add routes to the already twice-daily flights between the capitals.

James Hogan, the carrier’s chief executive, said the deal was an important milestone in the long-standing relationship between the two flagship carriers, as well as for trade between the two countries.

“The Philippines is one of the world’s best kept secrets with great appeal to travellers from overseas. We are committed to working with the Philippine Airlines team and the Philippines tourism industry to bring more overseas visitors to their country and to increase the economic benefits of tourism.”

Mr Hogan also identified the potential for both airlines to increase bilateral trade between the two countries, which last year was valued at US$1.4 billion (Dh5.14 billion).

Etihad employs nearly 1,000 Filipinos, including more than 270 cabin crew and 20 pilots.

There are around 700,000 Filipino expatriates living in the UAE.