Korean Flights To Kalibo Starts In March

By Boy Ryan Zabal

Meanwhile, Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores announced the start of landing of foreign airline at the start of inaugural flights directly from South Korea to the Kalibo domestic airport on the first week of March. Miraflores stressed, the preparations for the first regional flights from Itchon, Korea is in place with flights thrice a week.
"These (regional flights) could be a historic milestone in the united leadership and support of Aklanons for having regional flights ahead of other airports in Panay Island ," Miraflores pointed out.
He allocated an additional P50-million for a new passenger terminal to accommodate more tourists and visitors, including the customs and immigration offices.
According to Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez, immigration and customs officials had conducted site inspection of the domestic airport last week. The additional components of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) would be installed in time for the regional flights to improve the navigational and landing facilities of the Kalibo airport, he added.
"More Korean tourists will be able to visit Boracay Island with the opening of direct flights from Asian capitals next month," the governor pointed out.
With flights from Korea, Miraflores is optimistic that regional company airlines from other countries will follow to cater to the growing tourism market in the renowned tourist island resort of Boracay. Vice Gov. Ronquillo Tolentino also said the regional flights would add to the P10.4-billion tourism receipts last year. Tourists, who went to Boracay Island, registered 567,421, of which 184,363 were foreigners and 351,537 domestic.
Panay Island is constructing a P6.5-billion international airport in Iloilo province. It maybe operationalized in April 17, 2007. /MP