The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the UAE has taken a significant step towards enhancing aviation relations with the Philippines. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with its Philippine counterpart, outlining several key initiatives:
1. Increase in national carriers’ flights.
2. Raise in air cargo capacity from 200 to 600 tonnes per week for each national carrier.
3. Approval for the operation of Airbus A380 aircraft.
The signing of this MoU followed a series of discussions held on September 19 and 20, 2023, in Cebu, Philippines. The talks involved representatives from various sectors and national carriers of both countries.
Omar bin Ghalib, Deputy Director-General of the GCAA and Head of the UAE Delegation, and Carmelo L. Arcilla, Executive Director of the Philippines’s Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), were the signatories.
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GCAA, emphasized the UAE’s commitment to fostering aviation cooperation in key markets. This approach is aimed at supporting national carriers in their international operations, ensuring direct access to economic, commercial, and tourism markets. The open skies policy, driven by the vision of the UAE’s leadership, has greatly contributed to the country’s competitiveness and global leadership in the aviation sector.
