All systems go for the opening of Philippine Airlines commercial flight service between Cebu and Baguio next month.
This after PAL Test Flight PR-6230 made a successful landing at the Loakan Airport in Baguio City on Monday.
“This is no ordinary day for PAL. This flight is proof that it’s all systems go for the official opening of PAL’s Cebu – Baguio route on December 16, 2022,” said PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna.
Villaluna said the test flight touched down at the Loakan Airport at 11:30 a.m. from Manila. In command of the flight, she added, were Captain Anthony Larena, Captain Vincent Almeda, and Cabin Crew team members Dawn Andrade, Sharon Francisco and Michelle Mariano.
She said the successful test flight is the culmination of months of preparation among all industry stakeholders to make the return to Baguio by the flag carrier a reality.
“The PAL management have been working with officials of the Department of Transportation and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the local government in Baguio to make this test flight happen and it was indeed a smooth journey,” Villaluna said.
PAL is scheduled to launch its first flight between Cebu and Baguio on Dec. 16 to coincide with the reopening of commercial flight operations in Loakan Airport.
The Department of Tourism sees the move as an introduction of Baguio to the international market noting that Cebu is an international gateway.
PAL will operate four weekly Cebu-Baguio-Cebu flights with convenient morning departures:
• PR 2230 Cebu-Baguio – every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday departing Mactan Cebu at 08:50 a.m., arriving at Baguio Loakan Airport at 10:50 a.m.
• PR 2231 Baguio-Cebu – every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday departing Baguio at 11:10 a.m., arriving in Cebu at 01:00 p.m.
PAL’s first flight as a newly incorporated airline was a Manila-Baguio service flown out of Manila’s Neilson Airport on March 15, 1941. The PAL Beechcraft Model 18 carried five passengers to Baguio City, ushering in the dawn of the aviation age for the Philippines and Asia.
Baguio City is home to popular tourist spots – Burnham Park, Camp John Hay, Baguio Cathedral and Mines View Park among many others – and to the Baguio City Economic Zone hosting major multinational firms in the electronics, technology, BPO and clothing industries.
