Department of Trade and Industry 11 (DTI 11) Director Romeo L. Castañaga said on Friday triangulated air routes are being explored to sustain Davao City’s international connectivity, attract investment, boost trade, and promote tourism in the region.
Castañaga said routes triangulation links multiple destinations in a single flight rather than relying solely on direct airport-to-airport connections.
“For example, flights could connect Davao to domestic destinations such as Siargao or Cebu, while Manado could link to Bali,” he said during Business Insights media forum at NCCC Mall Ma-a.
He explained that this approach reduces dependence on Manila as a transit hub and makes routes more commercially viable.
“Some passengers are not only traveling to Manado but also to other destinations. Triangulated routes increase passenger volume and ensure sustainability,” he said.
Castañaga said airlines such as Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines have expressed interest in the Davao–Manado route.
He said reviving pre-pandemic routes like Davao–Manado remains a priority, with a working group coordinating with MinDA and airlines to ensure the routes’ sustainability.
Castañaga also said that the city government has organized a special committee on air connectivity, co-chaired by the Department of Tourism 11 (DOT 11), to identify potential direct-flight destinations beyond the traditional BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) network.
“So far, Davao has four direct international flights- Bangkok, Singapore, China, and Doha, Qatar. We are looking to resume connections to Japan and possibly Kuala Lumpur in the near future,” he said.
He said sea connectivity is also part of the city’s plan, with opportunities for private-sector participation in shipping routes still waiting to be tapped.
Castañaga added that an economic corridor approach is also being adopted, which focuses on broader regional clusters rather than just city-to-city links.
He cited example the Mindanao–Sulawesi corridor, which integrates trade, tourism, and socio-cultural exchanges, supporting sustainable airline and maritime connectivity.
“This approach is not only about trade. It also strengthens tourism and socio-cultural exchanges, which in turn help sustain connectivity,” Castañaga said.
He said the strategy also encourages convergence across sectors, including transport, trade, agriculture, tourism, and socio-cultural development.
