Dragonair to connect Clark to the world

CLARK FREEPORT -- A top executive of the Cathay Pacific said the airline's sister firm Dragonair, which launched its daily Clark-Hong Kong flights Tuesday, said they will connect Clark to the world.

Wilson Yam, general manager of Cathay Pacific for South East Asia, made the announcement during a dinner with Clark officials, travel agents, mediamen, and other stakeholders Monday night at the Holiday Inn Hotel here.

“We are committed to the Filipino people and we are working hard to connect Clark to the world,” Yam said.

Yam and Clark International Airport Corporation President Victor Jose I. Luciano sent off Dragonair’s maiden flight to Hong Kong, with a Boeing 737 aircraft which carried some 152 passengers.

Yam said they are very happy about the good treatment and accommodation of Clark airport officials. He thanked Luciano and Clark Development Corporation acting officer in charge Eduardo Oban.

Luciano welcomed the airline, saying it will help in serving residents in the airport’s catchment area in the northern parts of Metro Manila and the most part of Central and Northern Luzon.

Luciano earlier said Clark will have another global reach with Dragonair, Cathay Pacific, in choosing the airport.

“We are now connected to the four corners of the globe with the 150 destinations of CX (Cathay Pacific) and 31 destinations of Dragonair,” Luciano said.

“Our countrymen from Northern and Central Luzon, as well as Northern Metro Manila, who are residing or working in the Middle East, the whole of Asia, Europe, America, and as far as Africa can now use Clark Airport for their travel,” he added.

Tourism will get a “tremendous boost” by the entry of the airlines into Clark, according to Luciano.