Commissioner Ritchie Garcia, deputy chef de mission to the Asiad, made it clear that while the price of the airfare is the main factor in determining the airline that will be tapped, there are other factors that need to be considered.

"We also have to look at the convenience like the matter on excess baggage and other problems," Garcia said yesterday as he was reviewing the proposals submitted by Travel Managers International Inc., Elite Travel Center, Skynet Travel, The Resort Tour and Travel and one company that is being recommended by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Jose "Peping" Cojuangco.

"We should be able to know which company will provide service to our delegation within the week because I might be blamed for not giving all of them to present (their proposals)," said Garcia.

The PSC is shelling out R30 million for a delegation that will number between 250 to 270 and the airfare for each delegate is valued at ,200.

Only Qatar Airways, which is the official carrier of the Asian Games, flies non-stop to Doha from Manila, while the others – Gulf Air, Emirates and Kuwait – have to make at least one stopover before proceeding to the Qatari capital.

The Asian Games will be held from Dec. 1 to 15.

"Going there (to Qatar) is not a problem, but going back is," noted Garcia since overseas Filipino workers from the region and from elsewhere make their traditional homecoming at that time of the season.