The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates have signed a new aviation agreement with more seats added.

On passenger flights, 14 were set aside for Manila, 42 to Clark with fifth freedom (meaning an airline can pick up passengers in a third destination), 21 to Cebu, and 21 to other points in the country other than the three major gateways above.

On cargo, Clark and Cebu each got 600 tons per week.

Previously, the Philippines and the UAE each had nine flights a week each with no cargo.

Tourism groups have been lobbying for more Middle East flights since last year for the benefit of overseas Filipino workers or OFWs. For years, OFWs have had to put up with expensive and unstable travel schedules as a result of the inadequate number of flights to the Middle East.

The UAE, for its part, also wanted an expansion of air services.

The Philippine negotiating panel, led by the Department of Transportation and Communication, also had members from the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Trade and Industry as well as from the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark. From the private sector, designated airlines PAL and Cebu Pacific represent passenger carriers and PEAC represents cargo carriers.