The Philippine Airlines’ maiden flight to Antique finally landed at the Evelio B. Javier Airport in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique on Sunday morning.
The new route will not only realize the longtime dream of many Antiqueños to be able to fly directly from their home province to Clark International Airport, but more so to South Korea, PAL Corporate Communications Vice President Jose Enrique Perez de Tagle said during the Antique-Clark inaugural flight send-off ceremony at the airport.
De Tagle said PAL Express would also allow residents to fly conveniently to Manila and to PAL’s 17 other domestic destinations like Cebu and Palawan through their growing hub in Clark.
“You may now fly from Clark to Seoul Incheon in South Korea also,” de Tagle said.
He said PAL, although it was only short-lived, had serviced Antique in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary Manuel Antonio Tamayo, who spoke in behalf of Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, said he 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. (PNA)
