Aklan first in West Visayas to receive int’l flights – Miraflores BY VENUS G. VILLANUEVA
KALIBO, Aklan - With the scheduled inauguaral flight of the Asian Spirit Airline from South Korea direct to Kalibo Airport tentatively on the first week of March, Aklan Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores said Aklan will be the first province in Western Visayas to receive an international flight.
Miraflores said the Asian Spirit is already prepared for this event with its landing rights already approved and its request to the offices of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs already in place.
"Having the first international flight from Korea to Kalibo is like opening Aklan to the world. When we open Kalibo to international flights we will see the progress of business and the economic advantages in Kalibo and the entire province. There will be a bigger employment generation, the tourism industry and the services sector will thrive more, and other allied services will be needed,"” Miraflores said.
He also expressed happiness over the approval of the 2007 national budget, saying this will mean an additional P50 million budget for the Kalibo Airport terminal improvement specifically for its international section.
For the meantime, according to him, temporary arrangements had been identified by Customs, Immigration and Quarantine officials just for the initial flights of three times a week.
The Asian Spirit is now readying its aircrafts that can stand direct flights, the MD 82 that has 167-passenger capacity, a medium range aircraft.
"Once we can prove that medium-range aircrafts can be accommodated in Kalibo then we we can already ask the national government and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to go for long-range aircraft because we have enough land here. Our advantage here is we have a big room for expansion, we will not affect big buildings that will entail big expenses."”
"These opening flights will open the eyes of the national government that the market for international tourists is here with us. So I’m sure the President will grant this, because she has said so herself that it is Kalibo Airport that should be developed as an international airport," Miraflores said.
With this positive economic development in Aklan, Miraflores and the rest of the province’ local officials envision that other airline companies besides the Asian Spirit which is very aggressive as it know the strong Korean tourist market will come in as the province improves its airport facilities.
The direct flights from South Korea to Kalibo and vice versa is also seen to open the window of opportunities for Aklanon businessmen here.
"Not only will Aklan be open to tourists, but the Korean market for Aklan’s products. Our world-class products can be brought direct to South Korea. This is one opportunity that the whole Western Visayas and the neighboring provinces could benefit. Capiz, for instance, could also bring their sea food products direct to South Korea from Kalibo Airport,"” Miraflores emphasized.
KALIBO, Aklan - With the scheduled inauguaral flight of the Asian Spirit Airline from South Korea direct to Kalibo Airport tentatively on the first week of March, Aklan Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores said Aklan will be the first province in Western Visayas to receive an international flight.
Miraflores said the Asian Spirit is already prepared for this event with its landing rights already approved and its request to the offices of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs already in place.
"Having the first international flight from Korea to Kalibo is like opening Aklan to the world. When we open Kalibo to international flights we will see the progress of business and the economic advantages in Kalibo and the entire province. There will be a bigger employment generation, the tourism industry and the services sector will thrive more, and other allied services will be needed,"” Miraflores said.
He also expressed happiness over the approval of the 2007 national budget, saying this will mean an additional P50 million budget for the Kalibo Airport terminal improvement specifically for its international section.
For the meantime, according to him, temporary arrangements had been identified by Customs, Immigration and Quarantine officials just for the initial flights of three times a week.
The Asian Spirit is now readying its aircrafts that can stand direct flights, the MD 82 that has 167-passenger capacity, a medium range aircraft.
"Once we can prove that medium-range aircrafts can be accommodated in Kalibo then we we can already ask the national government and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to go for long-range aircraft because we have enough land here. Our advantage here is we have a big room for expansion, we will not affect big buildings that will entail big expenses."”
"These opening flights will open the eyes of the national government that the market for international tourists is here with us. So I’m sure the President will grant this, because she has said so herself that it is Kalibo Airport that should be developed as an international airport," Miraflores said.
With this positive economic development in Aklan, Miraflores and the rest of the province’ local officials envision that other airline companies besides the Asian Spirit which is very aggressive as it know the strong Korean tourist market will come in as the province improves its airport facilities.
The direct flights from South Korea to Kalibo and vice versa is also seen to open the window of opportunities for Aklanon businessmen here.
"Not only will Aklan be open to tourists, but the Korean market for Aklan’s products. Our world-class products can be brought direct to South Korea. This is one opportunity that the whole Western Visayas and the neighboring provinces could benefit. Capiz, for instance, could also bring their sea food products direct to South Korea from Kalibo Airport,"” Miraflores emphasized.
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