The Philippines and Oman are set to conduct bilateral air service negotiations before the end of 2026 to increase direct flights between the two nations, aiming to serve overseas Filipino workers, strengthen tourism, and expand trade ties. Department of Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez met with Oman’s Ambassador to the Philippines Nasser Said Abdullah Al Manwari on July 16 to kick off discussions on broader transport cooperation.
During the meeting, the Omani envoy noted rising demand for easier travel for the thousands of Filipinos employed in Oman and formally requested more direct flights to Manila. There are currently seven weekly direct flights operating between the two countries. Lopez instructed the Civil Aeronautics Board to coordinate with the Omani embassy to finalize the schedule for the upcoming talks, which will cover expanded air traffic rights and higher flight frequencies.
“We are committed to expanding our air links with Oman to give our fellow Filipinos, especially our OFWs, more options for direct, convenient, and affordable travel between our two countries,” Lopez stated.
Beyond air connectivity, the two sides reviewed a draft memorandum of understanding that would formalize wider transport cooperation. Lopez also thanked Oman for its continued support of Filipino seafarers, who hold key roles in the global maritime sector. The meeting also touched on potential Omani investments in Philippine transport infrastructure, with Lopez directing his department to share its full project pipeline with the Omani embassy for further consideration.
