Emirates to start Dubai-Clark flights in October

MANILA, Philippines – Dubai-based Emirates announced that it will begin daily, non-stop flights between Dubai and and Clark starting October 1. 

This will make the Clark International Airport in central Luzon the second in the Philippines that the state-owned carrier from the United Arab Emirates flies to. 

Emirates has been operating flights to Manila since 1990 and currently has 3 daily, non-stop services. Expansion plans in the country’s main gateway, however, is limited by space and the single runway.

The sprawling airport in Clark, a former US air base, is beng considered the country’s alternative airport. It has been growing exponentially since it services a catchment area of 17 million people in the central and northern Luzon areas.

“The launch of flights between Clark International Airport and Dubai will offer our passengers the flexibility of choosing from two destinations in the Philippines,” said Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline in a statement on Monday, February 18. 

Local budget carrier Cebu Pacific has announced it will commence its Manila-Dubai direct flights on October 7. Dubai is the Gokongwei airline’s first long haul destination. 

These routes mostly service the 680,000 OFWs living in the UAE.

Boeing, capacity

The route will be operated by a two-class Boeing 777-300ER, EK338 and will depart Dubai at about 4 am and arrive at Clark International Airport at around 4:40 pm. The return flight, EK339 will depart at 6:35 pm and arrive at Dubai International Airport at 11:05 pm.

This new route also allows Emirates SkyCargo to provide more than 160 tonnes of additional cargo hold capacity each way per week, further supporting Philippines exports of perishables, such as dairy products, fruit and vegetables, meat, seafood and electrical and electronic equipment, and its imports of textiles, apparel, plants, flowers and chemical products. – Rappler.com