One of the busiest labour and leisure corridors between the Gulf and Southeast Asia is getting room to grow. On November 12, Qatar and the Philippines signed a memorandum of understanding to expand air traffic rights and deepen aviation cooperation. Under the agreement, the designated airlines of both countries may each operate up to 28 passenger flights a week in each direction between Doha and Manila, the equivalent of four a day.
The deal was signed by Mohamed bin Faleh Al-Hajri, who is in charge of managing the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, and Carmelo L. Arcilla, executive director of the Philippines’ Civil Aeronautics Board. It also raises permitted cargo capacity between the two countries, although no specific figure was published.
The corridor matters well beyond the two capitals. Qatar is home to a large Filipino workforce, and for travellers from the Philippines, Doha is a major gateway to Europe, Africa and the Americas through Qatar Airways’ network. More capacity on the Manila leg gives airlines the scope to add frequencies at more convenient times and to improve onward connections, which is the stated aim of the agreement.
What the MoU does not yet provide is a timetable. No start date for additional flights has been announced, and it will be up to the airlines to decide how much of the new allowance to use and when. Travellers planning trips on the route in 2027 should watch for schedule announcements, as more competition on the route could also put pressure on fares.
Sources: The Peninsula, Qatar Tribune
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