NEW local direct flights to and from Davao City are already being finalized, city council tourism and beautification committee chair Al Ryan Alejandre said.

“There are existing Cebu Pacific (CEB) flights that Philippine Airlines (PAL) will also be launching such as Cagayan de Oro City. Way back before this flight was under Cebu Pacific but right now, PAL also has its own,” Alejandre said during the weekly Kapehan sa Dabaw press conference at SM City Davao last Monday, September 11.

He added Cebu Pacific has an existing flight schedule from Davao to Zamboanga and vice versa and PAL plans to have its own as well. By November, Alejandre said PAL is going to launch its Davao to Tagbilaran flights.

Since 2010 until the present, transportation and communication committee chair Conrado Baluran and Alejandre have passed four resolutions for the creation of a direct flight from Davao to Tagbilaran. Alejandre said they are grateful that for this year, PAL has finally taken notice.

“The main reason is there are a lot of Boholanos here in Davao. We also want to cater to their foreign visitors. We want Davao City to serve as their second destination in their itinerary. They would spend their vacation in Bohol for, say two or more days, and then go to Davao before they go home to their places,” Alejandre said.

He added there are yet to be updates if Cebu Pacific will also launch its own Davao-Tagbilaran flights.