ILOILO CITY, March 20 (PNA) — An airline boosted the inter-island connectivity of Western Visayas and Palawan with the launching of flights from Iloilo to Caticlan in Malay, Aklan and Cuyo Islands in Palawan Monday.
Paolo Misa, Air Juan marketing head, said the airline’s expansion in Iloilo and Palawan is in line with the airline’s thrust for intensified accessibility between popular destinations in the Visayas and Palawan.
The expansion is also part of the airline’s goal of establishing more destination hubs in the Visayas, he added.
Misa cited the rapid growth of Iloilo city and province, and the prospects of many businessmen and travelers who want faster travel from Iloilo to Caticlan, the gateway to tourism gem, Boracay Island, and to Cuyo, located in northern Palawan, where the pricey but sought after Amanpulo Resort is located.
Cuyo mayor Andrew Ong, who joined the inaugural flight from Cuyo to Iloilo, is looking forward to more tourists in his hometown, where many Ilonggos are residing.
Ong invited Ilonggos to visit Cuyo, the oldest town of Palawan, and explore its many beautiful beaches, and experience the hospitality of its people.
Phoebe Zelie Areño of the Department of Tourism-6 said the chartered flights, a first in Iloilo, is a big boost to the tourism of the province.
She cited inquiries at DOT about flights connecting Iloilo to Caticlan and to Cuyo.
The flight from Iloilo to Caticlan takes about 30 minutes on a good weather. The flight from Iloilo to Cuyo will take approximately 45 minutes.
Air Juan’s Puerto Princesa hub flies to Busuanga (Coron), Caticlan, Cuyo and Iloilo using Cessna Grand Caravan-Ex.
From Manila, it flies to Baler, Balesin, Boracay, Busuanga, Coron, Mamburao in Marinduque, Subic and Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro.
