PAL Clark – Davao Flight Takes Off, Palawan Route Next

The Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Wednesday ramped up its operations by formally launching its third domestic flight that will connect Clark International Airport (CRK) in Pampanga to Davao, President Rodrigo Duterte’s hometown province.

PAL Airbus 321 PR831 with more than 170 passengers took-off at noon after the send-off ceremonies held at the Clark Passenger Domestic Terminal graced by House Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Governor Lilia Pineda, Angeles City Mayor and League of Cities of the Philippines president Edgardo Pamintuan, Clark International Airport Corporation president Alexander Cauguiran, Clark Development Corporation president Noel Manankil and Department of Tourism Regional Director Ronaldo Tiotuico.

The Davao route came at the heels of the January 30 Clark-Cebu flight launch, the international flights to Incheon in South Korea on January 1, and Clark-Caticlan last December 16, 2016, making Clark Airport as PAL’s secondary hub for their North Luzon operations.

The Davao route flies every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

PAL president and CEO Jaime Bautista said the direct flights to Davao will allow passengers from Central and Northern Luzon to fly to President Dutere’s hometown without transiting Metro Manila.

“The history of PAL shows that wherever PAL flies, progress follows as what happened to Cebu, Bacolod and Iloilo and other major cities in the country,” Bautista said, adding that preparations are underway for the launching of two additional domestic flights to Palawan on March 26 that include Puerto Princesa and Busuanga.

Clark International Airport is included among several huge infrastructure development projects in what is billed by the Department of Transportation as the ‘golden age of infrastructure’ under the term of President Duterte.

“President Duterte’s directive is to develop Clark―the premier airport of the North,” Cauguiran said, citing CIAC’s vision is aligned with DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade’s efforts to develop CRK with the support of private proponent initiatives.

Meanwhile, Arroyo commended PAL for its newest flight route in Clark that will benefit passengers wishing to tour various destinations in Mindanao.

“I want to see the Subic-Clark corridor to be the best logistic and service center in Southeast Asia,” the former president added.

PAL said its direct Clark domestic flights especially to Cebu will connect passengers to various international destinations in Asia and North America.

Cauguiran said PAL’s operation at Clark is essential in easing the issue of decongestion in Metro Manila, particularly the Ninoy Aquino International Airport which already reached passenger capacity to 37 million last year.

“Clark Airport offers convenience and comfort to passengers especially those coming from the CAMANAVA area and northern and Central Luzon,” the CIAC chief added.

Other flagship projects the Duterte administration is set to pursue include a railway system from Manila to Clark, the Subic-Clark railway, and the Clark Green City. (PNA)FPV/ZST/MDDR