Davao-Zambo route to boost trade, commerce

FILE (Shutterstock Photo)

DAVAO CITY – The city government expects the resumption by flag-carrier Philippine Airlines of the Davao-Zamboanga route to bolster trade and commerce between two cities, according to Davao City Councilor Marissa Abella.

Abella said the launch of the new route will pave the way for trade and commerce as it will facilitate the exchange of services, goods, other agricultural products and tourism.

The new route will also facilitate interisland connectivity, bringing people together.

“With this route it will be much easier for Dabawenyos to discover the beauty of Zamboanga and its nearby cities and municipalities and I am sure Zamboanguenos would very much love to visit our city where the President (Rodrigo Duterte) comes from,” she said.

Since Davao is the gateway for Southern Mindanao, the opening of the new route would also benefit nearby provinces

On Thursday, Philippine Airlines launched the Davao-Zamboanga air connection. PAL will fly three times weekly using a new generation aircraft Bi-Class Next Generation Bombardier Q400 aircarft with latest service model of premium and economy seats.

PAL senior assistant vice president for Philippines Sales Harry Inoferio said PAL has ready plan to help promote the growth in Mindanao through tourism and economic ties.

“There are lots of people other than the tourists who are interested to come here not only from the Visayas but also from the northern part of the Philippines,” he said.

PAL flies Davao-Zambo on Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

The airline company also launched on October 31 direct flight from Davao City to Tagbilaran, Bohol four times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday (MWFS) and on November 1 the Davao City to Cagayan de Oro on a daily basis.

Inferio also said the reason for expanding their reach around the Philippines is their way of helping the country as more airline routes will be opened next month.

“Other than this launching, by December 1 we will have daily flights from Cebu to Siargao, Camiguin, Ozamis and Legaspi,” he said.

By mid-December, PAL flies Cagayan de Oro City to Clark. It will continue to fly the Davao-Clark.

For the international routes, Inferio said PAL will start operating Cebu to Bangkok so that passengers from Davao can connect via Cebu and there is no need to go to Manila.

Also in December, PAL will start operating non-stop between Manila and Auckland in New Zealand and Manila to Toronto, Canada. (Digna Banzon/PNA)