|
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Opening of more air routes to boost region's dev't
By Jenny Molbog-Mendoza
THE opening of regional cross-border air routes within the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (Bimp-Eaga) is a key initiative to further boost development of the growth region.
Mindanao Business Council (MBC) chair and concurrent vice-chair of the Bimp-Eaga Business Council (BEBC) Antonio Santos Sr. said during the Philippine-Eaga Business Forum held Friday at the Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco) office that various airline companies in the sub-region have agreed to increase air traffic by providing regular flights within the Bimp-Eaga.
For instance, Santos said that through the endorsement of BEBC, Layang Layang Aerosapce Sdn.Bhd. of Malaysia was awarded by the Malaysian Ministry of Transport with an air service license to operate scheduled air service between points within the Eaga region.
"The company seeks to forge a Bimp-Eaga air alliance with air service operators in Bimp-Eaga member-countries in the hope of connecting as many Bimp-Eaga destinations as possible," Santos said.
Santos said the company has already tied up with South Phoenix Airways of the Philippines to mount twice weekly services between Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia and Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Establishing an air link between these "two world-class destinations," Santos said, would lure more tourists to visit these areas and consequently increase its income.
Meanwhile, Andre J.T. Fournier, South Phoenix Airways Consultant, said in an interview that the Philippines could take the lead in creating air traffic within the Bimp-Eaga.
"As of now, we are already flying direct from Zamboanga to Sandakan. We really want to develop air traffic between these two destinations," he said.
Within two to three months, the airline company will operate a direct flight from Davao City to Kota Kinabalu, in line with South Phoenix Airways' goal to expand its operation it Bimp-Eaga.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (April 5, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
