There is a need to increase flights to and from Iloilo and resume international flight operations at the Iloilo airport, according to Mayor Jerry Treñas.
“The airplane fares have become very expensive. We need more flights to and from Iloilo City to lower the plane fares and make them more affordable for everyone,” the city mayor said in a statement.
At present, Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific (CebPac), and Air Asia, accommodate 19 flights per day to Manila and Cebu and 20 scheduled flights on different days of the week in General Santos, Davao and Clark.
Iloilo Terminal Supervisor Art Parreño said there will be additional scheduled flights going to Palawan and Cagayan de Oro starting this month.
On Wednesday, June, 7, Treñas wrote letters anew to PAL and CebPac requesting them to resume their direct flights from Iloilo to Hong Kong and Singapore, vice versa.
“It cannot be denied that a large number of Ilonggos are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) or constituents who have outbound flights in relation to business and trade,” he said.
“If direct flights cannot be granted, it would be a disservice to Ilonggos as well as other Filipinos whose travel needs and expectations are unmet due to long queues at immigration and exorbitant travel expenses associated with multiple bookings on connecting flights,” the mayor further said.
Parreño supports the move of Treñas, saying that the increase in domestic flights and the resumption of international flights are” good for us, good for the economy, good for the airport.”
“We are open to the increase in flights but the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines does not decide, it’s the airline’s decision,” he said.
Flights to Singapore and Hong Kong from the airport in the town of Cabatuan were stopped in March 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It would seemingly show that demand for travel has increased to even greater lengths after consumers and providers alike have rebounded for the time to the pandemic,” said Treñas.IMT
