Boracay gets flight boost from new airlines

THE popular beach destination of Boracay will get better air access with the upcoming launch of Manila-Caticlan services by two new airlines – Skyjet and Seair International.

Seair I (read as Seair one), will start Caticlan services beginning November though an exact date has not yet been announced, according to Patrick Tan, Seair I’s COO.

Said Tan: “We will be using our Dornier 328s, and it will be a luxury service – with a VIP lounge and check-in service from the lounge, so (guests won’t) have to check in at the counter.”

He added that the airline’s 35-minute service would be the fastest flight to Boracay. 

Meanwhile, Seair I plans to set up a hub in Puerto Princesa, Palawan to cater to inter-Palawan flights. Although Tan declined to share more, he and Avelino Zapanta, Seair I president and CEO, have suggested in previous reports that these would include El Nido, Taytay and Cuyo links.

Seair I has no ties to Seair, now rebranded as Tigerair Philippines (TTG Asia e-Daily, July 18, 2013), and was launched in July 2012 to serve missionary routes such as Batanes and Palawan, routes formerly served by Seair.

Likewise, new domestic airline Skyjet will commence operations to Caticlan later this year.

The carrier, launched in February this year, currently operates thrice weekly flights to eco-cultural destinations, Batanes, Busuanga, Virac and Surigao.

Joel Mendoza, president and CEO, Skyjet and director, Batanes Cultural Travel Agency, said: “I want to replicate the success (we had in promoting) Batanes to other far-flung destinations.”

Skyjet operates two 94-seater British Aerospace BAe 146-200 jets, which Mendoza claims are “the safest aircraft for commuter regional flights...specifically built to run and land on short runways”.

Sourced: ttgasia