Company seeks air service in Mindanao’s countryside

Posted 12 months ago Apr 27, 2017 Business 0

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DAVAO City -- An aviation company is eyeing to start an air service between airports and airstrips in Mindanao’s countryside.

Dr. Albert Pingoy president of the Davao City-based Fiesta Airways bared the plans for the acquisition of a fleet of aircraft which can ferry people and cargo across cities and towns in Mindanao, also it would service various hubs in the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area).

To jumpstart the plan the company has acquired an Airvan 8 aircraft. The newly acquired propeller airplane from Australia can seat seven passengers and can service sightseeing tours and medevac, It can land in short and rough runways.

Currently the Airvan 8 is offered for chartered flights and sightseeing tours.

“The next phase is for a commuter airways which would not compete with the big airlines, but 50 seater and a 70 seater that will service the Mindanao and the EAGA area.” Pingoy said.

He said the idea is like having passenger vans with wings. Particularly suited for passengers who are in a rush to their respective destinations where pricing is not the main consideration as the flights are more expensive than passenger vans.

“These are for people who are busy and who value time.” Pingoy said.

A three-hour land trip to Mati will just take 15-minutes and a four hour trip to other provinces will just take 30 minutes.

Other routes include General Santos to Manado, Davao to Sandakan and Puerto Princesa to Sandakan.

The company is planning to acquire 50 to 70-seater Twin Otter aircraft.

“We plan to start right away” Pingoy said of the business plan though he acknowledges that it will depend on when the needed government requirements will be secured.

The air service is aimed at spurring the countryside, as travelers particularly businessmen and tourists will have a faster way to reach to potential investment and tourism areas. (PIA/RG Alama)

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