Business | Aviation
Filipinos hit by lack of direct flights to Mideast
The lack of airline seats to the Middle East has jacked up fares and created a black market for reservations as carriers charge more to accommodate departing Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), according to manpower agencies.
- By Cher Jimenez, Correspondent
- Published: 00:11 May 4, 2008
Manila: The lack of airline seats to the Middle East has jacked up fares and created a black market for reservations as carriers charge more to accommodate departing Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), according to manpower agencies.
The Federated Association of Manpower Exporters (Fame) said in a congressional hearing that fares to the Middle East have gone up from $400 to $650 since December 2007.
Jackson Gan, Fame vice-president, said an average of 1,000 OFWs is stranded in the Philippines daily because they cannot get flights to the Middle East.
Gan added that recruitment firms are forced to upgrade bookings from economy to business class to make sure that they reach their destinations on time because foreign employers are threatening to cancel their employment.
"The shortage of direct flights, which run an average of 1,000 workers daily, have sent recruitment agencies into a frenzy," he said.
More from Aviation
More from Business
Business Editor's choice
-
Saudi-Bahraini economic ties hit new high
Whilst press reports continue speculating on a possible new political structure defining ties between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, facts on the ground confirm ever- stronger economic ties between the two neighbours
-
Cupid targets the Fed with early tweets
Declarations range from pure romance to cute overtures and racier fare
-
Do unemployment figures flatter to deceive?
Jobseekers and recruiters give out mixed signals ranging from optimism to downright despair even as official data show recovery
