THE PROVINCE of Antique welcomed its first commercial flight on December 16, with the arrival of the inaugural Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight from Clark to San Jose de Buenavista, the provincial capital.
Antique is the latest domestic destination added to the award-winning flag carrier’s extensive domestic network. The new twice weekly PAL service between Clark and Antique is operated with brand-new 86-seater Bombardier Next Generation Q400 aircraft.
Senior government officials led by Senator Loren Legarda, Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, and Environment & Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu gathered for a festive ceremony at Antique’s Evelio B. Javier airport to launch the inaugural PAL service.
Also witnessing the historic flight were Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director General Capt. Jim Sydiongco, DOTr Undersecretary for Aviation & Airports Capt. Manuel Antonio Tamayo; and mayors and councilors from Antique’s 18 municipalities.
“This new route empowers Antiqueños to fl y straight to the heart of Central Luzon,” said PAL’s Vice President for Corporate Communications Josen Perez de Tagle during the sendoff ceremony at Antique. “More convenient air access helps keep the economy humming in Antique.”
CAAP DG Sydiongco welcomed the pioneer route: “With PAL flights coming to Antique, more Antiqueños would be able to fly home more often and experience the efficiency of air travel. We witness another milestone for Philippine aviation.”
PR2205 leaves Clark at 6:00 AM every Sunday and Tuesday, arriving in San Jose de Buenavista at 7:20 AM. The return flight, PR2206, departs Antique 20 minutes later at 7:40 AM, arriving in Clark at 9:00 AM.
Through the new route, PAL hopes to promote Antique’s tourist attractions, including the Binirayan festival, scuba diving, medical hot springs at Sira-an, Sibalom Natural Park, the making of muscovado sugar in Patnongon and Laua-an, Bugtong Bato Falls and many more.
The PAL Next-Generation Q400 aircraft – fitted with six Economy Plus premium seats and 80 regular Economy seats – has the quietest and most spacious cabin of its kind. Produced by Canadian aircraft maker Bombardier, the Q400 NG flies faster and more comfortably than other island- hopping airplanes, with a baggage hold big enough to accommodate surfboards.
In 2018, PAL gained global recognition when it was voted the “World’s Most Improved Airline” and certified as a 4-Star Global Airline by international rating associations.
PAL previously operated a Manila-Antique service from 1956 to 1970 using Douglas DC-3 aircraft, and from 1974 to 1977 using the Hawker Siddeley 748.
San Jose de Buenavista becomes PAL’s 20th destination linked from Clark International Airport, where the flag carrier is the biggest airline operator. PAL flights also link Clark with Siargao, Basco, Coron, Caticlan (Boracay), San Vicente (Palawan), Bacolod and Seoul (Korea).
