Asian Spirit starts Manila-Laoag flights Local officials thankful for resumption of flights Asian Spirit re-opened its Manila-Laoag flights as its 100-seater British Aerospace (Bae) 146 jet landed at the Laoag International Airport (LIA) on February 21 as it filled in the vacuum left by the sudden suspension of operations of erstwhile Manila-Laoag route flight provider Philippine Airlines (PAL). Coming along with the Asian Spirit plane that opened the airline’s resumption of operations in the province was airline Executive Vice President Joaquin Po, who stated upon landing at the LIA that they will be here to stay for it is in their strategic plan to resume operations here in Northern Luzon whether other airlines would push through with their own operations here. “We are here and we will be here in Laoag to support all the people here in the north,” Po said as he claimed that being the only airline flying to Basco, Batanes, Asian Spirit considers Northern Luzon as their “home.” With its operations still in the initial stage, Po said they are ready to schedule additional flights even to the extent of having a daily flight to serve the high number of tourist arrivals in this northern part of the country. “Statistically, we feel that the 100-seater aircraft might not be enough for Laoag so if the market do require, we will add more flight to Laoag. As of now, we are ready to fly everyday if there is really a need,” Po said. Asian Spirit scheduled five flights weekly upon their resumption of operations—the schedules they drafter are the same schedule PAL followed. This was done, according to Po, so air travelers would not need to adjust the schedules they have been following since PAL resumed operations in the province last year. With the same flight schedules, Po added that balikbayans heading to Northern Luzon could also still avail of connecting flights going to LIA. The re-opening of the Manila-Laoag route is part of the airline’s program to further connect both tourists and commuters’ destinations after acquiring the new 100-seater jets. After Laoag, the airline is set to expand its operations to Zamboanga, Jolo, Tawi-Tawi and to the diving-haven, Palau. Earlier, the airline opened its Manila-Davao and Manila-Kalibo routes using the new generation regional jet, which is also known as the “whispering jet” due to its four powerful yet quiet jet engines. One-way promo fare to Laoag is at P2,400, exclusive of taxes and surcharges. Bookings or flight information may be coursed through the new reservations hotline of Asian Spirit at telephone number 855-3333 or visit www.asianspirit.com. Currently, the airline flies to 20 other destinations from its Manila and Cebu Hub. These include Boracay, Baguio, Batanes, Busuanga, Cagayan de Oro, Calbayog, Clark, and Masbate. Meanwhile, Ilocos Norte Governor Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed relief for the resumption of operations of Asian Spirit, filling in the void created by the abrupt decision of PAL to suspend operations here. “In two weeks time that there were no regular flights available, ramdam na ramdam ng probinsiya at saka ‘yung ating mga kaibigang gustong bumisita rito ay ramdan din ‘yung malaking problema na pagkawala ng regular flight dito sa atin (the province as well as friends who wanted to visit here the big problem of not having a regular flight here),” Marcos said. The governor also announced that LIA has already installed additional security cameras around the airport to monitor any untoward incident in the future. For his part, Laoag City Mayor Michael V. Fariñas expressed gratitude to Asian Spirit officials for immediately responding to his request to service the Laoag-Manila route following the withdrawal of PAL. Fariñas also related that he has coordinated with provincial police director Juan G. Luna to send a team every time there is a flight to maintain peace and order. According to the mayor, Luna agreed and would detail the police team at the LIA parking area. Ms Milagros R. Gonzales, on the other hand, lauded the airline for re-opening its operations here as she said Asian Spirit would not only cater to Laoag and Ilocos Norte but also to the other provinces here in Northern Luzon. The Ilocos Times also learned that Cebu Pacific, which sent a rescue flight on February 14—the say PAL started its suspension of flights here—has not yet ascertained whether they would also service the Manila-Laoag route. Dominic B. dela Cruz and Leilanie G. Adriano
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