Monday, July 30, 2007 Eaga transport ministers agree to revive flights By Carlo P. Mallo
TWO flights connecting Mindanao to its East Asean Growth Area (Eaga) neighbors will be resuscitated, a testimony to the success of the meeting of the Transport Ministers of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and The Philippines in Davao City.
New air routes are also being proposed to further enhance air traffic in the sub-region.
New air services by Asian Spirit will serve the Zamboanga-Sandakan in Sabah route and by Sriwijaya Air between Davao City-Manado in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
"We underscore the importance of improving connectivity by integrating the Eaga transportation systems with the view to increasing cross-border trade, tourism and investment in the sub-region," the official statement of the meeting said.
The transport ministers also said the air traffic in the region is set to increase with the developments being implemented by the member states.
According to the ministers, the upgrading of strategic infrastructure facilities to accommodate the anticipated increase in passenger and cargo traffic in the sub-region is more than enough proof that the sub-region is working.
These include the expansion of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport, completion of the Sepanggar Bay Container Terminal, both in Sabah, Malaysia; upgrading of the Serasa Car and Passenger Ferry Terminals in Brunei Darussalam; expansion of the Port of Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga Commercial Port, General Santos Seaport and, Glan Seaport, as well as the upgrading of the Puerto Princesa Airport, Francisco Reyes Airport (Coron, Palawan), Zamboanga Airport and Bongao Airport in the Philippines; and ongoing expansion of Hasanuddin Airport (Makassar), completion of Bitung Port facilities as container terminal, and improvement of safety and security facilities in all Eaga airports in Indonesia.
However, the ministers also admitted there are challenges to overcome in order for the sub-region to be a success. But in the end, they asserted in their statement that it is the cooperation of the four member states that is key to the resolution of the challenges and hurdles. (CPM/With Press release)
