AIR linkages between Davao City and Doha, Qatar can happen in the next two years, a tourism official said.
Davao Tourism Association (Data) president Renato Gatchalian and Davao Region Tourism Council president Mary Ann Montemayor earlier announced that negotiations are underway for flights between that two cities.
Roberto Alabado III, Department of Tourism Davao regional director, told SunStar in an interview on Monday, July 3, at the sidelines of the 32nd Kadayawan Festival launch at Marco Polo Hotel Davao, that the Philippine Government has already entered talks with Qatar Airways for the possible air linkage between Doha and Davao City.
"We are expecting that in the next two years they can establish their maiden flight to Davao City," he said.
Alabado said, according to the information relayed to him, the panels have discussed that Qatar Airways will be allowed to have an additional flight to Manila and at the same time have one flight to Davao City.
At present, Qatar Airways operates flights to Manila and Clark from its hub in Doha, Qatar.
Aside from Doha, Qatar, it was earlier reported that according to Mindanao Development Authority chairperson secretary Datu Abul Khayr Alonto talks are underway to establish flights between Davao City and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Major gulf carriers Emirates, based in Dubai, and Etihad, based in Abu Dhabi, are eyeing to launch flights between Davao City and UAE.
Aside from the Gulf Carriers, Alabado also said there are Indonesian and Malaysian airlines that have expressed interest to launch flights to Davao City.
"We are right now hearing some airlines interested to come over here. It may be a chartered flight," he said, adding that these are still in the works.