Airlines set to fly to new Bohol airport

CEBU, Philippines — Local carriers Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Air Asia are set to start operating at the new Panglao International Airport in Bohol today.

In separate statements yesterday, the airlines said the Panglao Airport is their newest hub in central Philippines.

Bohol's newest air hub, inaugurated by President Duterte on Tuesday, is poised to bring more visitor traffic and economic activity into one of the country’s main tourist destinations.

AirAsia Philippines CEO Dexter Comendador said they are delighted to operate in the new airport, the sole commercial airport serving Bohol province, after it replaces the old one in Tagbilaran City.

"Aside from its sustainable and eco-friendly structures, Panglao International Airport provides access to international tourists making Bohol with its abundant attractions the next premiere destination in Asia," he said.

The new airport, located in Barangay Tawala on Panglao Island, boasts of green and sustainable design such as the use of natural ventilation and solar panels.

It is also designed to accommodate two million passengers, more than double the capacity of the old Tagbilaran Airport.

The apron can accommodate seven aircraft at one time, including large aircraft for international flights.

"We feel strongly about supporting the growth and development of cities outside Metro Manila. We aim to better connect secondary cities or hubs and take Bohol to new heights and rise among the premiere tourist destinations not only in the Philippines but also in the whole of ASEAN, in greater Asia and beyond where the AirAsia Group has massive connectivity," Comendador said.

Budget carrier Cebu Pacific also announced its Flight 5J 619 from Manila will be the first flight to land at the airport when it opens for commercial operations today.

The flight is scheduled to depart Manila at 5:55 a.m. and land in Bohol at 7:30 a.m.

The Gokongwei-led carrier has been mounting flights to and from Tagbilaran since 2004, flying close to 3 million passengers over the past 18 years.

The airline flies three times daily between Manila and Tagbilaran, as well as once a day to and from Cagayan de Oro (Laguindingan), and Davao via subsidiary Cebgo.

By December 15, 2018, Cebu Pacific will start its daily connection between Clark and Bohol.

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines also advised its passengers departing from Bohol to proceed directly to the new Panglao Airport starting today.

The PAL ticket office at the decommissioned Tagbilaran Airport will remain open until December 15, 2018 to service passengers during a three-week transition period. The PAL Tagbilaran City ticket office also remains open.

"While the PAL ticket office at Panglao Airport is being set up, PAL check-in counters at the new airport will be able to issue tickets if necessary," the airline said.

Land travel from the Tagbilaran City center to Panglao Airport is approximately 40 minutes. However, it would be prudent to allot at least one hour travel time from the city to the new airport for good measure, PAL told passengers.

"There is no need to re-issue or re-route tickets, as all currently issued tickets for travel to or from TAG remain valid," it said.

The new airport will continue to use the existing IATA (International Air Transport Association) airport code "TAG."

Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto earlier said the new airport is a game-changer for the province.

“It will enhance Bohol's attractiveness both in tourism and investments, thus creating more jobs and economic opportunities for our people,” he told The FREEMAN.

“It will have very positive contribution to multi-sectoral growth and development not only for Bohol but for the region and country as well,” he added.

Aviation think tank CAPA Centre for Aviation noted that the Panglao Airport is poised to boost tourist traffic in the province.

It expects the new air hub “to generate a significant increase in visitor numbers to Panglao as the island becomes more accessible, particularly for international tourists.”

“Panglao attracts over 600,000 annual visitors, but only approximately one third of the visitors are foreigners,” CAPA said in its latest analysis.

Bohol attracted 1.1 million visitors in 2017, with more than half of them staying in Panglao. — JMO (FREEMAN)