Legacy carrier Philippine Airlines has launched a Davao flight operation to and from Siargao Island, in response to the clamor of surfing aficionados worldwide.
PAL Corporate Communications Department chief and spokesperson Ma. Cielo Villaluna said the new route, which was opened over the weekend, uses the fleet’s Bombardier Q400 Next Generation aircraft.
“The four-star carrier opened the brand new, four times weekly Davao-Siargao service as part of the expansion of its Davao hub,” said Villaluna.
Known as the surfing capital of the Philippines, Siargao is one of the country’s fastest growing tourist destinations.
PAL also launched the new domestic operations and began operating daily flights between Davao and Tagbilaran in Bohol, from the current four times weekly offering.
The flag carrier's Mindanao hub also links Davao to Cebu, Zamboanga, and Cagayan de Oro.
“We envision Davao to become a major hub in our network in the years to come that will spur tremendous economic and tourism activities in the region,” said Harry Inoferio, PAL senior assistant vice president for Visayas and Mindanao.
PAL is offering an introductory one-way base fare of P1,088 for the Davao-Siargao route, with the booking period until April 15 and travel period from March 25 to October 31.
Late last year, PAL officials announced they would open new domestic and international routes to ease air traffic congestion problems at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
In December, the flag carrier inaugurated new routes out of Cebu to enhance the Visayan hub's connectivity with Northern Mindanao and the Bicol Region.
The routes—Cebu-Siargao, Cebu-Camiguin, Cebu-Ozamiz and Cebu-Legaspi, also utilize PAL’s Bombardier Q400 Next Generation turboprops.