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Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Iloilo Airport now ready for 'Open Sky' policy
ILOILO CITY, June 15 (PNA) -- The Iloilo Airport of international standards located at the Sta. Barbara-Cabatuan site is looking forward to accommodate international flights with its inclusion in the ‘Open Sky’ policy approved by President Benigno S. Aquino III.
On Tuesday the new airport which replaced the old Mandurriao Airport celebrated its 4th year anniversary since commencing operation on June 14, 2007 with Philippine Airlines Flight 139 taking the 6:20 a.m. inaugural flight from Manila.
Chief of Staff to the Director General Rodrigo Rodolfo Artuz said Iloilo international flights will soon be materialized as he likewise cited its impact not only in terms of employment but likewise in foreign exchange earnings.
He added that its state of the art facilities made the airport among the busiest in the country next to airports in Manila, Mactan, Cebu and Davao.
Meanwhile, CAAP-Iloilo Air Manager Efren Nagrama said so far no airline company so far has submitted a proposal for international destinations.
Nagrama hopes that soon there will be flights to Hongkong, Singapore, Korea, China although he cited as one problem the marketing aspect.
Should the plan pushes through the airport he said is ready to accommodate passengers from abroad even if only for twice a week.
Currently, the airport is catering everyday 21 domestic flights to Manila, Davao, Cebu vice versa.
Nagrama added their target of 1. 4 million passengers supposedly for 2015 has already been reached last year which means that numbers of domestic passengers are increasing rapidly.
Last year, he said they have accommodated almost 1.5 passengers and they are expecting more passengers this year.
On the other hand, Artuz brought good news to employees of the abolished Air Transportation Office (ATO) that by July this year they will be absorbed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines-Iloilo (CAAP). (PNA)
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