Home Transport Aviation UAE-Philippines strengthen aviation ties; flights, cargo capacity to increase The agreement looks at increasing air cargo from 200 to 600 tonnes per week for every national carrier and approving the operation of Airbus A380 aircraft by Gulf Business September 28, 2023 Image: Getty Images The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with its counterpart in the Philippines. The MoU aims to enhance the aviation relations between the two countries, supporting a rise in national carriers’ flights. The agreement also looks at increasing air cargo from 200 to 600 tonnes per week for every national carrier and approving the operation of Airbus A380 aircraft, the state news agency, WAM, reported. UAE-Philippines sign MoU in Cebu The MoU was signed after a round of talks involving representatives of local sectors and national carriers. on September 19-20, in Cebu, Philippines. “The vision of the UAE’s leadership has led to adopting an open skies policy, which has boosted its competitiveness, openness, and economic flexibility, as well as its regional and global leadership,” said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general of the GCAA. “The GCAA prioritises strengthening aviation cooperation frameworks in strategic markets for national carriers to support their operations in international markets and ensure their direct access to economic, commercial, and tourism markets,” he added. Interline agreement supports aviation ties In other news, Emirates and Philippine Airlines (PAL) expanded their interline agreement which they commenced earlier this year. In March, the two carriers agreed an interline partnership wherein Emirates passengers were granted access to 19 Philippine domestic destinations operated by PAL, including Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Cotabato, Davao, Iloilo, Kalibo, among others, as well as two Asian regional points via Manila. Now, as part of an expanded interline agreement, Emirates passengers can access domestic points in PAL’s network via Cebu and Clark too. Tags Aviation cargo fligts General Civil Aviation Authority MoU News Philippines You might also like Abu Dhabi airports’ nine-month passenger jumps 31.2% Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air places order for 60 Airbus A321neo Emirates inks strategic deals with Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Aviation sector’s share of Dubai GDP seen at $53bn by 2030