Dubai: Filipino expatriates will be exempted from paying extra aviation charges when they book flights with Emirates, in compliance with Philippine laws on migrant workers.
According to an Emirates spokesperson, Filipinos based abroad will not have to pay the local travel tax and terminal fees.
To avail themselves of the exemption, however, passengers should present an overseas employment certificate (OEC) at the time of booking or prior to departure.
“Emirates complies with all relevant legislation within the Philippines. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who book flights with Emirates, and hold a valid OEC are entitled to a Philippine travel tax and terminal fees exemption, which is processed at the time of ticketing or can be claimed at the airport prior to departure,” the spokesperson said.
The exemptions could mean a saving of nearly AED200 per passenger, or more than 5 per cent off the average price of a return ticket to UAE.
Travel tax is set at AED118 (1,620 pesos) per economy class passenger, and the airport fee charged is AED55 (750 pesos).
Starting March 30, 2016, Emirates has been operating a daily circular service from Dubai to Cebu and Clark in the Philippines.
The airline also announced last year that it will start four new weekly flights to Manila in addition to its current twice daily service, to cater to the growing market.