Bantayan flight starts August

CEBU, Philippines — Bantayan Island will be more accessible to tourists and other guests starting next month, as regular direct flights from mainland Cebu to the island will be launched next month.

The regular flights will be operated by King Aces Travel and Tours Services Inc. (KATTSI), whose inaugural flight will be on August 28 via Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) to Bantayan Island.

The commercial flights are scheduled twice a week, or every Friday and Sunday, using 72-seater ATR planes, which are twin-engine turboprop aircrafts.

As announced by the Cebu provincial government, the inaugural flight will be open to the public and the seat will be on sale for as low as P888.

The commercial flight is expected to boost the tourist arrivals in Bantayan Island, one of the prime destinations in Cebu province, and spur economic activities there.  This will also cut the travel time of the tourists from a four-hour to six-hour travel time via bus and ferry to a 25-minute air travel.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is expected to join the inaugural flight, as she was invited by retired army general Gilbert Llanto, chairman of Prime Aces Holdings Corporation (PAHC) a subsidiary of KATTSI, on July 3.

KATTSI is a travel and touring agency established by ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative and serving members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including retirees, regular civilian employees, reservists, and active members of the military.

The Bantayan Island Airport in the town of Santa Fe was inaugurated in March last year.

Though the facilities there are still lacking the Cebu provincial government continues to develop the airport by purchasing lots around the area to expand it, especially the runway which is now at least 1.2 kilometers. – RHM (CEBU NEWS)