CLARK FREEPORT – A milestone in local aviation… one more stride towards the development of the Clark airport as premier international gateway of the country.
Thus was Air Asia Philippines coming to establish its hub at the DiosdadoMacapagal International Airport here, with its first aircraft, a brand new state-of-the-art Airbus A320 landing at 11:00 in the morning yesterday from the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France.
“This is a proud moment for AirAsia Philippines as the arrival of the new aircraft signifies our first step in introducing ourselves to the nation.
(Living in) an archipelagic country, air travel is necessary for Filipinos and we are here to serve and help them stay or be better connected with their families and friends,” said Marianne Hontiveros, AirAsia Philippines chief executive officer, who arrived with the plane with 29 others, including Philippin Ambassador to the Holy See, Mercedes Tuazon, mediamen and an all-Filipino crew led by Captain Johansen Hernandez.
“The Philippines has great potential in tourism, as our country has so much to offer. With AirAsia Philippines, we hope to increase the number of tourist arrivals.
This is good for the community in Clark as well as Northern and Central Luzon as they can benefit in various areas including hospitality, retail and entertainment,” Hontiveros said.
A festive atmosphere welcomed the Airbus A320, including a water cannon salute as it taxied on the runway on the way to the terminal.
Among those who welcomed the aircraft were Victor Jose Luciano, president-CEO of the Clark International Airport Corp., Atty. Felipe Antonio Remollo, president-CEO of the Clark Development Corp., AirAsia Philippines major partners Antonio Cojuangco and Michael Romero, Malaysian Ambassador Ibrahim Saad, and Tourism Secretary Albert Lim.
Luciano, Remollo, and Lim joined Hontiveros in the ceremonial pouring of champagne on the nose of the aircraft.
In his welcome message, Luciano thanked Air Asia Philippines for choosing to set up its hub at Clark and assured the low cost carrier of the support of support not only from CIAC but also from other stakeholders in Clark.
Currently, AirAsia Philippines is awaiting official approval to start flying commercially. The airline plans to use the first aircraft to fly to Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong.
A second aircraft is slated to arrive late this year to ply the routes to Bangkok, Incheon and domestic destinations namely Kalibo and Puerto Princesa.
Another two aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2012.
