nBy EMMIE V. ABADILLA
October 22, 2010
Airphil Express started its Manila-Legazpi-Manila flights Thursday.The country's fastest growing low-cost carrier adds premier South Luzon destination Legazpi City to its growing roster of routes with fares starting at P850 one way (exclusive of taxes).
“This is in response to the unmet demand for air travel in the Bicol region," according to Maria Java, Airphil Express' Vice President for Marketing and Media.
"Buses to and from South Luzon are packed to the hilt, take a whole day and cost as much as an airline seat. Airphil Express addresses this demand by assigning its most efficient aircraft to the route, the brand new Airbus A320 that allows us to serve Legazpi in world-class comfort, safety and efficiency for as low as your bus fare.”
“With the delivery of the second of four Airbus A320's coming in this year, Airphil Express can now respond to growing low cost air transportation demand," she went on. "Today alone, we launch 4 new destinations simultaneously. Apart from daily flights from Manila to Legazpi, APX now flies out of Manila direct to Tagbilaran, Bohol. Out of our Cebu headquarters, we are launching direct flights to Ozamis. Lastly, we launch Cebu-Catarman as well.”
Airphil Express has started daily flights to Bohol for as low as P1,008 one way, exclusive of taxes, cheaper than the boat fare heading for Manila from Tagbilaran. Vacationers, mostly European tourists, favor Bohol especially at end of the year when the cold hits the west. Most go to Panglao island.
“Bohol is the professional vacationers favorite mini-break destination," according to Maria Java, Airphil Express Vice President for Marketing and Media.
Airphil Express APX flies Manila to Tagbilaran daily at 9:40 a.m. and leaves Tagbilaran back for Manila at 11:25 a.m.
In its efforts to remain consumer-focused and community specific in its approach to its aggressive expansion, the burgeoning low cost player is zeroing in the traditional bus and ship going market, essentially growing its own loyal base of passengers.
“Because we have remained dedicated to the individual passenger and his flight experience with us, Airphil Express is seeing a consistent return of passengers to its rosters. We expect to see Legazpi's bus going public flying with us to and from Legazpi.” Java added.
The choice of a larger aircraft servicing the Legazpi route will allow APX clients to load more baggage or cargo at considerably more reasonable rates. Airphil Express is still the only low cost carrier that gives 15 kilos free baggage. Beyond that, a minimal cost of P100 per kilo is charged.
APX flies to Legazpi, leaving Manila at 12:10 noon daily, arriving in Legazpi at 1:10 p.m. The return flight to Manila leaves Legazpi at 1:40 p.m. and arrives at Manila's NAIA Terminal 3 at 2:40 p.m.
Starting December 1, a second daily flight will ensue, flying out of Manila at 8:20 a.m. and leaving Legazpi at 9:50 a.m.
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