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San Fernando Airport to resume domestic operations on April 14
Author: BCDA
Posted: March 25, 2010 | Category: Freeport And Ecozones
The San Fernando Airport in La Union is set to resume domestic operations on April 14, 2010 following the completion of the first phase of its half billion peso-airport upgrading project funded by the state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).
The San Fernando Airport is part of the Poro Point Freeport Zone (PPFZ) being managed by the Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC), a subsidiary of the BCDA.
For its inaugural flight on April 14, 2010, South East Asian Air (SEAIR) flight DG0205 will leave the Manila Domestic Airport at 11:40 am and is expected to arrive at the San Fernando Airport at 12:40 pm, officially signaling the resumption of domestic operations after the airport was closed last December 2007 to give way to the said airport upgrading.
Underscoring the significance of a fully developed PPFZ, BCDA President and CEO Gen Narciso Abaya (Ret) said the resumption of domestic operations inof the San Fernando Airport will further strengthen Poro Point in attracting more investments and tourists leading to more jobs generated for the people of La Union. “Increased investments and tourist spending will augur well for the economy of La Union,” Abaya said.
PPMC President Felix S. Racadio said the airport upgrade project included the hill removal and leveling, runway widening, overlay of taxiway, fencing, construction of a new control tower, renovation of fire station, and excavation of ditches and channels.
“The upgrade meets the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and will now accommodate larger planes like the Boeing 737 and Airbus 320,” Racadio said.
PPMC Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Anthony C. Manguiat said that with the resumption of domestic operations, passenger as well as cargo traffic are expected to further increase and boost the economy of La Union and its neighboring provinces.
“The San Fernando Airport will complement the already existing international seaport, thus making Poro Point an ideal site for commerce and tourism,” Maguiat said.
PPMC Vice President for Airport Operations Josefa Catherine T. Bada said that the regular flights from Manila to San Fernando and back will be serviced by SEAIR every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The Manila-San Fernando flight takes some 60 minutes and passengers can now book online through the website www.flyseair.com.
She also added that there are now 27 flying schools using the airport for their cross-country flights.
For his part, Thunderbird Pilipinas Hotels and Resorts Inc. (TPHRI) Chief Operating Officer Fabio Moretti said that the resumption of flights will bode well for the tourism industry in La Union, Baguio, Pangasinan and Ilocos. Of the P565 million allocated by the BCDA for the upgrade of the San Fernando Airport, TPHRI contributed P55 million.
The San Fernando Airport upgrading project is in line with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s agenda to transform Northern Luzon into a super region. The San Fernando Airport is expected to serve as the country’s gateway to the North and is seen to create wider opportunities for investment, trade and employment.
