DAVAO CITY — Starting June 1, 2026, travelers from Davao can reach Europe, the Middle East, and Africa without passing through Manila. Philippine Airlines and Qatar Airways expanded their codeshare agreement to include Davao as one of four Philippine gateways. PAL now places its PR code on Qatar Airways flights departing from Davao International Airport to Hamad International Airport in Doha. The partnership eliminates the traditional Manila layover.
The expanded codeshare also covers Cebu and Clark, but Davao's inclusion marks a significant milestone for Mindanao. For decades, international travelers bound for the southern Philippines had to route through the capital. Now, a single booking connects Davao directly to Qatar Airways' network of over 180 destinations across 90 countries. Travelers from London, Frankfurt, or Johannesburg can reach Davao with coordinated bookings and seamless baggage handling.
A Boost for Davao's Tourism and Business Sectors
Tourism stakeholders have long pushed for better dispersal of international arrivals beyond Manila. The codeshare directly supports this goal. International visitors can now access Mindanao's nature tourism, agricultural regions, and business hubs without the friction of a domestic transfer. A European tourist heading to Mount Apo or a business traveler bound for the Davao Region's growing commercial centers benefits from dramatically simplified travel.
The agreement also strengthens Davao's position as a MICE destination. The city recently hosted the Mindanao Tourism Expo and continues to attract conferences and events. Improved international connectivity makes Davao a more viable choice for event organizers considering locations outside Metro Manila. The codeshare's timing aligns with the city's preparation for events like the Kadayawan Festival and Duaw Davao.
Strengthening Davao's Global Connectivity
The partnership reflects a broader aviation strategy that favors regional gateways over a single-city bottleneck. Qatar Airways, which operates one of the world's most extensive networks, chose to extend its Philippine presence through multiple entry points. For Davao, the development marks a vote of confidence in the city's capacity to handle international passenger growth.
Davao International Airport has been undergoing upgrades, and the city's economy has expanded consistently, with services and industry driving demand for business travel. The codeshare arrangement provides Dabawenyos with more options for reaching global markets while making it easier for international investors and tourists to discover Mindanao. The agreement signals that Davao is no longer a secondary destination but a primary gateway for Philippine international travel.
