Qatar Airport a Role Model for NAIA: PH Envoy
MANILA – The Philippines could learn a thing or two from the Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Qatar.
This, as Philippine ambassador to Qatar Wilfredo Santos cited HIA as a role model for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
HIA, which only began operating in 2014, has already been named by Condé Nast Traveller as among the world’s top 10 airports.
HIA boasts of having one of the world’s most advanced cargo terminals; a baggage tracking technology that allows passengers to monitor their luggage location in real-time; and has facilities such as lounges, art halls, among others.
Santos highlighted the role of HIA 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.
NAIA is beset by the “tanim bala” scam that victimizes tourists and overseas Filipino workers.
The ambassador recently had a courtesy call with Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways CEO and Group Chief Executive of HIA.
During that meeting, Al Baker mentioned that Qatar Airways has approximately 4,735 Filipinos under its employ, which is 10 percent of its whole workforce.
As of December 2013, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas reported that Qatar is at 9th spot of the Top 10 Destination Countries of overseas Filipinos with 204,550 Pinoys.
Santos also 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.
Likewise, 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.