According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), the resumption of flights from Clark International Airport will boost tourism in the country and ease congestion at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The DOT’s announcement follows Cebu Pacific’s move to upgrade its Clark hub with 13 domestic and international routes.
The airline said three of its planes will be based in Clark.
Flagship carrier Philippine Airlines has also announced that it will start flights from Clark to Caticlan on April 1, and from Clark to Busuanga on April 2.
Tourism Minister Christina Frasco said the newly opened air routes will surely boost the country’s domestic and international tourism as they will provide more connections to the country’s popular destinations.
“We welcome these additional flights after months of ongoing discussions with relevant aviation agencies and stakeholders such as the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Cebu Pacific Airways and Philippine Airlines as they help The Marcos government’s efforts to improve tourism connectivity and spread economic opportunity are strong nationwide,” Frasco said.
“These flights will further fuel the growing interest in our destinations from domestic and international tourists and further increase livelihoods and employment opportunities for our tourism stakeholders and frontliners,” she added.
The tourism chief also stressed that the re-opening of flights is “very timely” for the upcoming Holy Week.
“The Department of Transportation has been working with the Department of Transportation to maximize Clark International Airport with the goal of making it a viable backup airport so that it can be fully utilized,” Frasco said.
“By adding flights, we achieve a number of goals: easing congestion at NAIA and minimizing congestion at other airports, as well as further development of the region and the attractiveness of more tourism events and businesses in the region,” she added.
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