03 November 2015 - Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Wilfredo C. Santos paid a courtesy call on Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways CEO and Group Chief Executive of Hamad International Airport (HIA), on October 25.
The Ambassador was joined during the call by Cultural Attaché John Danilo Jiao and Attaché for Political and Economic Affairs Sorhaya P. Dilabakun. During the exchange of pleasantries, Mr. Al Baker mentioned that Qatar Airways has approximately 4,735 Filipinos under its employ, which is 10% of its whole workforce.
Ambassador Santos acknowledged the successful Philippines-Qatar Air Consultation Talks held in Doha in May which led to the increase in the number of flights for each country to 14 effective October this year and unlimited flights between Doha and other airports in the Philippines except Manila, which further strengthens people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and Qatar.
The Ambassador also recognized the role of Hamad International Airport and Qatar Airways in boosting Qatar’s image as reported by Brand Finance, a UK-based consultancy firm. According to the firm’s Nation Brands 2015 report, Qatar is the 5th top Nation Brand for Investment and placed 9th in the Top 10 Strongest Nation Brands. The Ambassador cited HIA as a model for the Philippines’ Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) where the latter could learn a thing or two from the former.
Mr. Al Baker also approved the request for a visa-free stay of 96 hours for Cebu Pacific crew in Doha in line with the smooth operations of Cebu Pacific’s regular Doha-Manila flights. END