PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) Inc. flew out on Sunday from Clark International Airport (CIA) to San Jose de Buenavista, the provincial capital of Antique.
Located in Western Visayas, Antique is the latest domestic destination added to the Philippine national flag carrier’s domestic network.
The twice-weekly PAL service between Clark and Antique is operated with an 86-seater Bombardier Next Generation Q400 aircraft.
“This new route empowers Antiqueños to fly straight to the heart of Central Luzon,” PAL Vice President for Corporate Communications Josen Perez de Tagle said during the send-off ceremony at Antique. “More convenient air access helps keep the economy humming in Antique.”
Senior government officials gathered to welcome the inaugural flight and also to celebrate the festive ceremony at Antique’s Evelio B. Javier airport.
Also witnessing the historic flight were Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director General Jim C. Sydiongco, Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Manuel Antonio L. Tamayo and mayors and councilors from Antique’s 18 municipalities.
“With PAL flights coming to Antique, more Antiqueños would be able to fly home more often and experience the efficiency of air travel,” Sydiongco said. “We witness another milestone for Philippine aviation.”
Tamayo, who spoke in behalf of Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, said the return of PAL to Antique is another historical milestone.
“After 12 years ago, the airport has returned to commercial operation,” Tamayo said.
With the flag-carrier now coming back to Antique, more locals may fly more often, he added. He further said PAL’s return, being the only airport in Antique, will spur the development of the whole province.
“Patronize the flight to sustain it,” he told the Antiqueños.
The PAL executive recalled that with the previous flights like that of the Asian Spirit—the latest airline to fly in Antique 10 or 12 years ago—stopped operation because it was not economically viable due to fewer passengers flying, preferring the roll-on, roll-off.
The new route of PAL, through 86-seater PR- C5910, flies from Clark to Antique and vice versa every Sunday and Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Department of Tourism (DOT) Assistant Secretary Roberto P. Alabado III, who traces his family roots from Antique, said Antiqueños must treat the airline and the airport like their “babies,” nurturing them so these may grow. He said the airline operation in Antique will further sustain the tourist arrivals in the province.
Antique Gov. Rhodora J. Cadiao, who was a former flight attendant of PAL, said that when the PAL Express touched down at the airport, memories flashed back to her mind.
“Jim [Sydiongco] was then my former boss and pilot,” Cadiao said. She added that the longtime dream of Antiqueños was realized because of Senator Loren Legarda, whose dream for Antique was shared by the PAL management. That is to help spur the local economy and boost trade and tourism in the province through the airport’s operation.
PR2205 leaves Clark at 6:00 a.m. every Sunday and Tuesday, arriving in San Jose de Buenavista at 6:00 a.m. The return flight, PR2206, departs Antique at 7:40 6:00 a.m., arriving in Clark at 9:00 6:00 a.m.
Through the new route, PAL hopes to promote Antique’s tourist attractions.
Recto Mercene and PNA