DAVAO CITY — Qatar Airways on Tuesday launched its first direct flight to Doha from Davao Airport.

Flights are scheduled once a week on Fridays.

Overseas Filipino worker Marvin Villar, one of the passengers who availed of the first direct flight, said it is more convenient now to go home annually to Davao.

“Kung sa NAIA pa kasi, lilipat pa kami ng terminal tapos kakarga pa ng bagahe,” he said.

The international flight is also an opportunity for Davao to boost tourism and foreign investment, authorities said.

“This will give exposure to Davao, the Philippines, to the people of both countries and bring about greater flows of people too,” said Capt. Donaldo Mendoza, deputy director of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.