Korean flights to Kalibo kicks off next month
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – The inaugural flights directly from South Korea to the Kalibo domestic airport would start on the first week of March, said Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores.
Over DYRG Budyong ng Kalibo, Miraflores stressed the preparations for the first regional flights from Korea is in place with flights thrice a week
“These (regional flights) could be a historic milestone in the united leadership and support of Aklanons for having regional flights ahead of other airports in Panay Island ,” he pointed out.
Miraflores said he allocated an additional P50-million for a new passenger terminal to accommodate more tourists and visitors, including the customs and immigration offices.
Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez said immigration and customs officials conducted site inspection of the domestic airport yesterday. The additional components of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) would be installed in time for the regional flights to improve the navigational and landing facilities of the airport, he added.
“More Korean tourists would visit the Boracay Island with the opening of direct flights from Asian capitals next month,” the governor pointed out.
With flights from Korea, Miraflores is optimistic that regional company airlines from other countries would follow to cater to the growing tourism market in the renowned tourist island resort of Boracay. Vice Gov. Ronquillo Tolentino said the regional flights would add to the P10.4-billion tourism receipts last year. Tourists, who went to Boracay Island , registered 567,421, of which 184,363 were foreigners and 351,537 domestic.
Panay Island has a P6.5-billion international airport in Iloilo province and would start operations on April 17 this year.