SilkAir flies to Kalibo from Singapore

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

In Kalibo, Aklan, SilkAir launched its maiden flight to Kalibo International Airport on Tuesday.

The town of Kalibo is the third emerging and growing network of destinations for SilkAir in the country after Davao and Cebu. The airline, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, operates Kalibo-Singapore route thrice-weekly services with departures on Tuesday, Thursdays and Sundays.

SilkAir, Asia’s most rewarded regional airline, marked the MI599 maiden flight to Kalibo by giving passengers onboard with special souvenirs and inaugural flight certificates personally signed by Chief Executive of SilkAir, Mr. Leslie Thng, and  flight commander Capt. Sheldon Rasquinha.

With this latest launch, the new services will be operated by its Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. The new route connects Singapore travelers and leisure-oriented tourists to Kalibo, the capital town of Aklan and home to Ati-Atihan festival and a gateway to the famous resort island of Boracay. 

The direct flights to Singapore also offer convenience of onward connections to more than 90 international cities in the joint Singapore Airlines-SilkAir network.

SilkAir has more than 350 weekly flights to 45 exotic destinations in 12 countries. The airline currently has a fleet of 25 aircraft, comprising 6 A319s,16 A320s and 3 Boeing 737-800s. In August 2012, the airline announced the largest order in its history of up to 68 Boeing 737 aircraft, with firm orders comprising 23 Boeing 737-800s and 31 Boeing 737 MAX 8s.

The company’s network will increase to 48 destinations when Mandalay and Hangzhou in China commence operations in June 2014. The airline has maintained its intra-Asian market stronghold especially in China, India and Indonesia.

SilkAir is the Regional Airline of the Year (Air Transport News 2013 Awards) as well as the TTG Asia Travel Awards Hall of Fame to its name following its 10th win as Best Regional Airline in the TTG Travel Awards.