03 June 2015 - The Philippine delegation, led by Department of Transportation & Communications (DOTC) Undersecretary for Legal Services, Atty. Jose Perpetuo M. Lotilla, successfully led negotiations during the Philippines-Qatar Air Consultation Talks held in Doha last May 27 to 28.

The air talks led to the increase in the maximum number of flights for each country to 14 effective October 2015. Both countries also agreed on unlimited flights between Doha and other airports in the Philippines except Manila pursuant to the Philippines’ ‘pocket open skies policy’.

The two countries also agreed to meet before the end of 2016 to discuss further increase in frequencies and other matters.

The above agreements were reflected in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Undersecretary Lotilla and his Qatari counterpart on May 28. The last air talks with Qatar were conducted in January 2009.

Aside from DOTC, Philippine delegation included representatives from the Civil Aeronautics Board, Department of Tourism and the Department of Foreign Affairs (through the Office of Legal Affairs and Doha PE), as well as private sectors representatives, Philippine Airlines, PAL Express and Cebu Pacific, as observers. END