TOURISM in Boracay Island has been spared from the controversy that plagued flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), according to Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim Saturday.
Lim said PAL has not canceled any flight to Kalibo (Aklan), even as most tourists who head for Boracay do not take PAL’s Airbus planes in heading for Caticlan.
“Boracay was not affected by PAL’s woes. Most of those going to Boracay go to Caticlan, whose airport is too small for PAL’s Airbus planes. The other route is via Kalibo, and PAL has not canceled flights there,” he said on government-run dzRB radio.
PAL had modified its flight schedules for some destinations following a row with pilots who quit and left for greener pastures, and abruptly stopped reporting for duty last week.
The flag carrier has since claimed its operations are back to normal, although with adjustments to flights to some key areas.
On the other hand, Lim noted a 26-percent rise in tourist arrivals at Boracay in the first seven months of 2010.
“So I don’t think tourist arrivals at Boracay are affected,” he concluded. (JMR/Sunnex)