DOTr pushes Manila-Istanbul airfare discount for OFWs

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez and Turkish Civil Aviation Director General Prof. Dr. Kemal Yüksek sign a Memorandum of Understanding at the Philippines-Turkey Air consultation talks on Thursday, Aug. 13. Photo from the Department of Transportation

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it is pushing for a special airfare discount on Manila-Istanbul flights and vice versa for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during the Philippines-Turkey air consultation talks.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez and Turkish Civil Aviation Director General Prof. Dr. Kemal Yüksek signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Thursday, Aug. 13, aimed at expanding air connectivity between the country and Turkey.

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Lopez said he also coordinated with Turkish aviation officials to include special discounted airfare for OFWs as one of the benefits under the newly signed agreement.

“Ang pagpapalawak ng flight frequencies ay dapat hindi lamang magresulta sa mas maraming flights, kundi dapat maging mas accessible at affordable din ang paglalakbay ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga OFW na araw-araw na nagsasakripisyo upang suportahan ang kanilang mga pamilya at ang ating ekonomiya,” Lopez stated in a statement on Friday.

(The expansion of flight frequencies should not merely result in more flights; it should also make travel more accessible and affordable for our fellow Filipinos—especially our OFWs, who make daily sacrifices to support their families and our economy.)

Under the initial agreement, flights going to Manila-Istanbul and vice versa will increase to 14 flights per week–an upgrade from the previous one to two flights available per day. Meanwhile, secondary gateways in Cebu, Davao, and Clark will no longer be limited, the DOTr said.

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The DOTr said the move aims to make international flights more accessible and convenient for travelers, primarily for Filipinos working abroad, as per the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expand the country’s air service agreements with international partner countries.

“Sa pamamagitan ng Istanbul bilang mahalagang international aviation hub, mas mapapadali na para sa mga Pilipino ang kanilang pagbiyahe patungo sa Europe, Middle East at iba pang destinasyon sa kanlurang bahagi ng mundo. Mas mapapalawak din ang access ng mga international travelers patungo sa Pilipinas,” the DOTr said.

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(With Istanbul serving as a key international aviation hub, travel to Europe, the Middle East, and other destinations in the western part of the world will become easier for Filipinos. It will also expand access for international travelers to the Philippines.)

The agency added that the expanded air connectivity pact with Turkey is a significant step towards opening more opportunities for tourism, business, trade, and people-to-people exchanges in the country. /jpv