Asian Spirit intl flights to Kalibo set next year
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - Asian Spirit is set to make its first international flight from Seoul, South Korea via Kalibo domestic airport next year, said Aklan Cong. Florencio Miraflores
The solon stressed the airport is ready to cater to international flights mostly from Korea, China and Taiwan once the Asian Spirit flies here to bring more tourist passengers and commuters.
"The airport passenger terminal will be expanded with a budget of P50-million in 2007 to service the tourists of Boracay and eco-tourism spots of the province," he pointed out over DYRU Super Radyo Kalibo.
The national government is bent to improve the navigational and landing facilities of the Kalibo airport next year despite the P6.5-billion new Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan-Sta. Barbara, he added.
Miraflores said he talked with Asian Spirit EVP Joaquin or Jack Po to open its international flights in Kalibo to boost its tourism and to improve the capability of the domestic airport through stringent security screening, customs’ inspection and quarantine.
"Asian Spirit and other airlines could make the Kalibo airport a regional airport destination with Boracay as the number one attraction in the region," Miraflores added.
As this developed, Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez said the entry of Asian Spirit would advance the tourism and agriculture thrusts of the province. It would also put Aklan as the best tourist destination in Central Philippines with international flights from Korea and Taiwan.
Asian Spirit, with 24 flights destinations, was organized in 1995 as the first and only airline cooperative in the country. It started its operation in 1996 with a historic flight to Caticlan, Aklan, the gateway to the world-famous Boracay Island with its 50-seated De Havilland Dash 7 of Canada and serviced only one route, Boracay.
Asian Spirit has become the Philippines’ most efficient, most profitable low-key airline that flies to 24 domestic destinations. In 2005, Asian Spirit flew 500,000 passengers, 350,000 to Boracay.