THE Department of Tourism-Davao Region (DOT-Davao) is looking forward to the resumption of other international flights at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao International Airport) following the improved travel conditions in recent months.
This after Cebu Pacific (CEB) announced the resumption of its international operations in its Davao hub, starting with direct flights to Singapore.
Beginning October 30, 2022, CEB will begin operating three times a week from Davao to Singapore, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Flight 5J 715 is scheduled to depart Francisco Bangoy International Airport at 5:15PM, and is set to arrive at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4 at 9:10PM. Its return flight, 5J 716, is scheduled to leave Singapore at 9:55PM, and is estimated to arrive in Davao at 1:40AM the next day
“We are very excited to bring back this route as we know passengers in Mindanao have been waiting for more affordable and convenient flight options to fly abroad. Now that we’ve strengthened our operations from Manila, it’s time we move forward to growing our regional hubs as we work toward restoring 100 percent of our pre-pandemic capacity in the coming months,” said Xander Lao, CEB Chief Commercial Officer.
DOT-Davao director Tanya Rabat-Tan said during a press conference on Tuesday, September 27, welcomed its resumption, and that it is a "positive development" for the tourism industry.
"We really hope the other routes as well will open soon," Rabat-Tan said during the Pep Talk press conference at SM Lanang Premier.
The tourism head said this has been their discussion with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in a recent meeting.
However, she declined to give further information.
DOT has been lobbying for the resumption of direct domestic and international flights from Davao after it was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
While waiting, her office is in constant coordination with concerned agencies to prepare for its resumption, including improving the airport's capacity to cater more passengers.
"Immediate naman 'yung talks namin (Our talks are for the immediate resumption of flights). Hopefully the soonest na ma-resume (these flights will resume). That's why we have to be ready to support itong mga flights na ito (these flights)," Rabat-Tan said.
Before the pandemic, there has been a direct international flight from Davao to Hong Kong, Xiamen, and Manado. For domestic, there's Clark, Zamboanga, Bohol, Bacolod, Tacloban, and Dumaguete, aside from Cebu and Manila.
The tourism head said certain groups are also lobbying for direct flights to Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea. However, this is still under discussion.
Meanwhile, in an ambush interview, Rabat-Tan is looking forward to more tourist arrivals in the region as more international flights are set to resume.
“There also comes the opportunity for trade and investment. These are things we are really looking forward to soon, and that other areas will resume,” she said.