By Noel G. Tulabut
My Palm Notes
Saturday, March 31, 2012
MORE tourist arrivals.
This is what definitely the new Philippines’ Air Asia flights would
bring to Clark (Central and Northern Luzon areas too) and other
destinations where it has just opened routes to.
With
its maiden Clark-Davao-Clark and Clark-Kalibo-Clark flights, Air Asia
would be serving as bridge to these foremost places of interest in the
other two major islands of the Philippine archipelago. Considered as a
gateway to Mindanao, Davao is the largest city in the country with its
bustling metropolis that is highly progressive. The Kalibo route, on the
one hand, is a jump-off point to the famous Boracay beaches and other
destinations in the western Visayas like Iloiolo and Bacolod.
You see, the so-called catchment area of the Diosdado Macapagal
International Airport in Clark has about 25 million people throughout
northern and central Luzon. This means a potential travel market not
only for Air Asia but also for other airlines that ply the Clark routes.
Two regional directors of the Department of Tourism – the respectable
Ronnie Tiotuico of Region 3 and the youthful Art Boncato of Region 11 –
agree that there will be “spikes in visitor and tourist arrivals” in
their places of operations. While they are still recalculating exact
projections in the visitor arrivals, they both agree that Air Asia’s
flights would boost tourism and business.
Air Asia flights between Clark and Davao would make it a lot easier
now for tour operators and event organizers to be planning trips,
meetings, conventions as the two places (including Subic which is 30
minutes away from Clark via the SCTEX) are known for great places for
both leisure and business.
+++++
Air Asia (of Malaysia) first mounted Clark flights some seven years
ago and its big boss Tony Fernandes could only be thankful for the
success of his growing aviation empire.
Prior to the Philippines’ Air Asia’s inaugural and pioneering flights
on March 28 where Tony personally sent off passengers from Clark, the
company is successful too in their operations in Indonesia, Thailand and
other regional hubs and destinations.
Its slogan “Now, Everyone Can Fly” is becoming a reality as it stages
more and more budget flights to various regional destinations. With
their reasonable airfare rates, I was able to bring my family (with
mother-in-law and a nephew in tow) to Malaysia and Singapore in 2005 via
DMIA of course. I remember writing a column piece after that trip
titled “Have budget flight, will travel” which was commended by then CDC
President Tony Ng.
What is more significant now with Air Asia is that its Philippine
operation is anchoring their pricing schemes on a more transparent
manner.
The lovely broadcaster-turned-corporate executive Maan Hontiveros,
president and CEO of Philippines Air Asia, has made it a point that
there will be no hidden charges in their announced airfares.
That will be a “no-loko promo” there.
It means that if they announce it for P275 each for either a Kalibo
or a Davao flight, then, that should be it. No more add-ups of
government taxes, surcharges and what have you.
It means not straining your eyes trying to look for the fine prints
of this and that charges which is usually the case with other budget
carriers.
It also means that the flying public can expect better and much
affordable airfares, even as other airlines mount the same routes first
pioneered by Air Asia such as the Kalibo and Davao flights.
Maan says that “transparency will be the hallmark of (their) offers
and promos” while making it clear though that Philippines Air Asia is
not “cheap” as it boasts too of two brand new A320s that were custom
fitted with leather seats and all. Another two similar aircraft are
coming direct from Airbus Industrie’s plant in Toulouse, France in time
for the Puerto Princesa, Palawan flights this April.
“Low fare but high value,” she adds.
Air Asia and other airlines’ flights and the infra build-up in Clark
are a result of hardwork of Clark leaders like Chichos Luciano and Ping
Remollo, president of Clark International Airport Corp. and Clark
Development Corp., respectively.
Air Asia flies twice daily from Clark to Kalibo (7 AM and 8:35 AM)
and twice daily also to Davao, 10:10 AM and 5:50 PM, with the latter
being mounted until April 20, 2012 only.
+++++
During the launching of Air Asia’s inaugural flights last March 28,
DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas witnessed the signing of agreement between
Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao and the Diosdado
Macapagal International Airport in Clark. It was a sister airport
undertaking that is fully supported by Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte
(who flew in to Clark the day before) and Mabalacat Mayor Marino
Morales.
Also present during the program were BCDA, CIAC, CDC, DOTC officials
who were recognized by Sec. Roxas as part of the government team that
put some action on much needed infrastructure like airport and the
aviation industry.
In Davao, the Metro Angeles City Chamber of Commerce and Industry
through its president Dr. Frankie Villanueva has signed a sister chamber
agreement with the Davao Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
This particular pact is part of the Partnership for a Better
Infrastructure by the Research, Education, and Institutional Development
Foundation, Inc.
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph
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