Zamboanga airport eyes more routes

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade. Photo from DOTr

ZAMBOANGA CITY—After getting a major facelift, the upgraded Zamboanga International Airport is ready to operate more flights to and from other Southeast Asian destinations, according to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.

Based on the approval of Tugade and the local government of Zamboanga City, the airport may start international flight expansion and kickoff its international operations with the approval of Zamboanga-Kuala Lumpur flights by its Malaysian counterpart.

“Zamboanga International Airport is ready for international operations. It has long been prepared for this. The airport can start international operations through the Zamboanga-Manila-Kota Kinabalu route. But we have to wait for our Malaysian counterpart for the Zamboanga-Kota Kinabalu flight,” Tugade said.

Flight destinations

Tugade added that once Philippine Airlines (PAL) submits its proposal for an international flight accommodation with other Southeast Asian nations, the country’s flag carrier may soon start its daily operations at the airport.

Meanwhile, PAL senior assistant vice president for Philippine sales Harry Inoferio said international flight destinations included Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Jakarta, Indonesia; Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; and Bangkok, Thailand.