As part of send-off ceremonies for the maiden journey of the PAL Davao-Clark flight, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held, led by (fifth from left) Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo and (sixth from left) PAL SVP Legal & Corporate Communications and General Counsel Siegfred Mison. Also in attendance were (from left) Davao Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, Davao City Chamber of Commerce President Capt. Ronald Go, PAL SAVP-Sales Harry Inoferio, PAL Mindanao Area Head Vic Suarez, Capt. Edgardo Mendoza, Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Datu HJ Abul Khayr D. Alonto and Macroasia HR Manager Sonnie Rubis. The traditional water cannon salute earlier welcomed the Airbus A321 aircraft as it touched down in Davao from Clark.

Clark to Davao flights open as PAL adds routes

February 5, 2017

Philippine Airlines (PAL) ramped up its operations by formally launching its third domestic flight last Feb. 1 that will connect Clark International Airport (CRK) in Pampanga to Davao, President Duterte’s hometown province.

PAL Airbus 321 PR831, with more than 170 passengers, took-off at noon after the send-off ceremonies held at the Clark Passenger Domestic Terminal graced by House Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Governor Lilia Pineda, Angeles City Mayor and League of Cities of the Philippines President Edgardo Pamintuan, Clark International Airport Corp. President Alexander Cauguiran, Clark Development Corporation President Noel Manankil and Tourism Regional Director Ronaldo Tiotuico.

The Davao route came at the heels of the January 30 Clark-Cebu flight launch, the international flights to Incheon in South Korea on January 1, and Clark-Caticlan last December 16, 2016, making Clark Airport as PAL’s secondary hub for their North Luzon operations.

The Davao route flies every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

PAL President and CEO Jaime Bautista said the direct flights to Davao will allow passengers from Central and Northern Luzon to fly to President Dutere’s hometown without transiting Metro Manila.

“The history of PAL shows that wherever PAL flies, progress follows as what happened to Cebu, Bacolod and Iloilo and other major cities in the country,” Bautista said, adding that preparations are underway for the launching of two additional domestic flights to Palawan on March 26 that include Puerto Princesa and Busuanga.

Clark International Airport is included among several huge infrastructure development projects in what is billed by the Department of Transportation as the ‘golden age of infrastructure’ under the term of President Duterte.

“President Duterte’s directive is to develop Clark―the premier airport of the North,” Cauguiran said, citing CIAC’s vision is aligned with DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade’s efforts to develop CRK with the support of private proponent initiatives.

Clark to Davao flights open as PAL adds routes

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