Dubai-based carrier Emirates was slapped a P1.8- million fine by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) for selling tickets for a third additional Manila-Dubai route without getting prior approval from the aviation regulator.
CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla said Emirates violated the rules when the airline sold the tickets for the extra flights that are valid until October 2015.
“The law prohibits an airline from selling flight services without authority to operate such flight, obviously for reasons of public policy that seeks to protect the public from the hazards arising from the uncertainty and unreliability of an unauthorized flight,” Arcilla said in a text message.
CAB also ordered Emirates to stop selling tickets beyond December 26.
The decision came after local carriers Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air requested CAB to revoke the extension of a temporary permit allowing Emirates to continue operating seven flights a week between Manila and Dubai, saying this exceeded the maximum number of flights permitted under the existing bilateral air agreement.
CAB earlier granted Emirates a 30-day extension from October 27 to November 26 to the seven weekly flights, then extended it until December 26.
The Philippine-United Arab Emirates Confidential Memorandum of Understanding provides Emirates with a maximum of 14 weekly frequencies.
“Today, UAE airlines operate 5 daily frequencies to and from the Philippines, whereas Philippine carriers only operate 3 daily frequencies between the Philippines and UAE,” PAL and Cebu Pacific said in an earlier statement.
Against air negotiations
The two airlines are also opposing the proposed air talks between the Philippines and United Arab Emirates next year.
“Negotiating any new agreement with the UAE at this time would only serve to reward Emirates, the UAE’s biggest airline, for having blatantly disregarded the authority of the Civil Aeronautics Board by continuing to offer and sell flights without the approval or authorization of the CAB,” the carriers said.
Last October, CAB declined Emirates’ petition to use PAL’s unutilized frequency on the Manila-Dubai flights until March 2015, but the carrier filed an appeal.
Meanwhile, Emirates said it remains committed to serving the Philippine market.
“Emirates has proven time and again that it is committed to the Philippines’ growth. From the first Manila-Dubai flight we offered in 1990 to the ones in operation today, we will continue to serve the Filipino people,” Emirates senior vice president for aeropolitical and industry affairs Salem Obaidalla said.
For his part, Emirates Philippines country manager Abdalla Al Zaman said: “As we look forward to 2015, we will still uphold our commitment to providing innovative products and the highest quality to customers, shippers, and business partners in the aviation and travel industries. Emirates passengers can certainly expect for more.”
