Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chair Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno said on Thursday that Leading Edge Air Services Corporation (LEASCOR), the aviation arm of ACDI Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC). has moved the start of Davao-Manado connectivity and is now looking to commence by end of July this year.
Magno said this was revealed to him by Brigadier General Augusto Gaite of ACDI MPC during their recent meeting.
“I had a meeting with General Gaite the other day renewing the commitment coming from their side that they are studying the Davao-Manado route. Initially sabi niya baka end of July,” Magno said during the 18th MinDA Board Meeting press conference on Thursday afternoon.
Last month, Gaite told Edge Davao that the start of Davao-Manado air connectivity had been moved from March to June this year due to aircraft availability.
Magno said he and Gaite promised to support each other in the realization of the route.
“Ang sinabi ko kay Gaite kung anumang suporta ang binibigay sa inyo dati ganon din sa panahon ko baka mas may maitulong pa ako sa inyo. I said the date is not important but what is important is the effort and the desire is still there. Alam ko na ngayon ang kanilang gusto at sana matuloy yan,” he said.
LEASCOR and MinDA led an exploratory business mission to North Sulawesi, Indonesia to assess the potential resumption of the Davao–Manado air connectivity on January 4, 2024.
Utilizing a Leading Edge 70-seater ATR 72-500, the airline is targeting a load capacity from Davao to Manado of about 65 percent to 70 percent plus cargo.
Previously, the route was served by Bouraq Air in 1992 until 2004. It was revived by Sriwijaya and Merpati Airlines in 2007. Then Garuda Indonesia reopened the flight in 2019 until the Covid-19 lockdown.
