LAOAG CITY, March 8 — Filipino-owned Southeast Asian Airlines or SEAir will launch its maiden flight to Laoag on April 4.
Ms. Milagros Gonzales, chief of Department of Tourism in Ilocos Norte reported that manager for booking Jose Lapid of SEAir had visited the province last month and discussed matters with the Laoag International Airport (LIA) officials about the scheduled maiden flight of SEAir.
Gonzales said the airline will accommodate the bulk of air travelers-tourists coming into the province this summer, which is considered as the peak season..
“Considering the estimated tourist arrivals in the previous years in Ilocos Norte, we really need additional airlines to fly out tourists to our province that makes it more fast and convenient for them,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales added that the additional flight of SEAir will also benefit the locals in the City giving them possible employment.
“SEAir presence here means an increase in trade and tourism activities in the province as well as job generation,” she added.
On July 2011, the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) estimated a total of 680,000 tourist arrivals in the province based on the records of hotels, home stays, and other accommodation units.
The provincial government is anticipating more arrivals this year since tourist influx started as early as October 2012 and is expected to continue until summer time.
SEAir will set a daily flight from Manila to Laoag and vice versa.
At present, Laoag airport accomodates three existing airlines namely South East Asian Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Philippine Airlines, all with connecting flights from Manila to Laoag.
It may be recalled that SEAir had planned to set-up a flight in Ilocos Norte during the term of then Gov. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. but it did not push through.
“This time, sure na sure na (it is definite).” Gonzales said. (JCR/CJDG-PIA1 Ilocos Norte)
