SEAir to launch flights to Laoag in April

Filipino-owned Southeast Asian Airlines or SEAir will launch its first ever flight to Laoag on April 4

Milagros Gonzales, head of the Department of Tourism for Ilocos Norte said, manager for booking Jose Lapid of SEAir visited the province on third week of February to discuss matters with the Laoag International Airport (LIA).

Gonzales said the airline will accommodate the bulk of tourists coming into the province this summer, which is considered as the peak season.

“Considering the estimated tourist arrivals in the previous years in Ilocos Norte, we really need additional airlines to fly out tourists in our province that makes it more convenient for them,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales added that the additional flight will also benefit the locals in the City giving them possible employment.

“SEAir presence here means an increase in trade and tourism in the province as well as job generation,” she added.

In July 2011, the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) estimated a total of 680,000 tourist arrivals in the province based on the records of hotels, home stays, and other accommodation units.

The provincial government is anticipating more this year since tourist arrivals started as early as October 2012 and is expected to continue until summer time.

SEAir will set a daily flight from Manila to Laoag and Laoag to Manila.

Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines have connecting flights from Manila to Laoag.

SEAir planned to set-up a flight in Ilocos Norte in 1986 during Ferdinand “Bong-bong” Marcos Jr. feat as the provincial governor but did not prosper.

“This time, sure na sure na (it is definite).” Gonzales said. (JCR/Cherry Joy S. Discaya-PIA1 Ilocos Norte)