Emirates, the world’s leading airline based in the United Arab Emirates, is eyeing Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) as an alternative hub for the airline in the Far East.
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma already met with Orhan Abbas, senior vice-president of Emirates-Far East, to discuss plans of developing SBIA into an alternative hub for the Emirate’s fleet in the Far East. Eisma was in Dubai as government representative at the recent 2020 World Expo.
Emirates-Far East, one of two flag carriers of the UAE, also plans to increase commercial flights from Dubai to the Philippines in the near future, Eisma said.
In addition, Eisma also revealed that Group 42 (G42), an artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing company founded in Abu Dhai, UAE in 2018, for its plan to use Subic Freeport as its operation for planned vaccine production and distribution in the Philippines and South East Asia.
Eisma also met with G42 Senior Director Stepahane Thomas during the World Expo in Dubai for the company’s plan for the Subic Freeport.
According to Eisma, G42 is looking for local partners to create a joint venture business for the manufacturing and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in the Philippines and ASEAN.
G42 is oriented to the development of AI industries in the government sector, healthcare, finance, oil and gas, aviation, and hospitality.
In addition, Eisma made a strong pitch during the Dubai Expo’s Global Network Meeting for UAE energy firms to expand operations in Subic.
The SBMA chief held discussions with Gazelle Wind Power Founder and President Jon Salazar during the meeting to discuss potential investments in wind power.
Gazelle Wind specializes in wind power platforms that are installed outside shipping lanes. It has offices in Dublin, London, Madrid, Paris and Texas, and is exploring business ventures in South East Asia.