Scoot Lands In Davao

 Replaces Silk Air Services To Singapore

1 December 2021

Singapore Airlines return to Davao 18 months after it left due to covid19 pandemic, this time flying with its low-cost subsidiary, Scoot, from the erstwhile Silk Air that does B737-800 rotation to Cebu and Davao from Singapore.

Scoot landed at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao International Airport) on Wednesday afternoon, December 1 with 102 passengers aboard its maiden flight using Airbus A320neo.

TR360 will fly Singapore-Davao-Singapore every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday leaving 10:20am arriving in Davao at 2:00pm. TR361 departs for Singapore at 4:05pm. arriving at 6:10pm.

PAL,CEB Diverts DXB To DVO

 As Dubai Limits MNL Passengers

11 November 2021

 

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Low Cost Carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) is diverting flights to Davao and Cebu in the Philippines as Dubai airline regulator DCAA clamps down flight to and from Manila, in retaliation to flight restrictions imposed by the IATF.

In today's flight, PR659 and 5J009 will both land at Davao International Airport from Dubai today arriving 2:55pm and 3:05pm, respectively.  Passengers will undergo quarantine restrictions in Davao City before they will be transported to Manila for free after 5 days.

Passenger allocation to Cebu, Davao, Clark and Subic has been doubled by the government this week as it increases quarantine capacity for arriving passengers across the country to 6,000 Filipinos daily.

PAL and CEB are rerouting their flights to Dubai to fly from both Cebu and Davao to work around current clampdowns on the number of passengers and flights arriving or leaving the Emirate.

This morning, PAL’s regular Manila-Dubai flight left via Davao on Thursday, carrying 100 passengers, while tomorrows flight will be rerouted from Cebu.

CEB said it has started rerouting passengers to from Dubai to Davao since October 21, and Dubai to Cebu since October 29.

CEB also said they will be rerouting Manila-Dubai flights to fly first to Cebu and Davao before proceeding to the Gulf State.

Duterte Signs Davao International Airport Authority Law

10 September 2019



President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law creating the Davao International Airport Authority (DIAA) to maintain and operate the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City.

Republic Act No. 11457 or the "Charter of the Davao International Airport Authority" was signed by Duterte on August 30, 2019. Copies of the law was released to the media Today.

Under the measure, the DIAA, an attached agency of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), shall "principally undertake the economical, efficient, and effective control, management and supervision of Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City, existing airports in Davao Region and such other airports as may thereafter be established in any of the provinces of the same region."

The newly created authority is tasked to upgrade the services and facilities of Francisco Bangoy International Airport and formulate internationally acceptable standards of airport accommodation and service. It was also given the authority to exercise all powers of a corporation and to levy and collect dues, charges, fees for the use of the airport.

Under the said law, all existing airport facilities, runways, lands, buildings and other properties, movable or immovable, belonging to DOTr and CAAP would be transferred to the DIAA.

The Authority shall also administer ongoing projects relating to the construction of new Airport facilities and supply of equipments.

DIA was previously under the control and supervision of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines before it got its independence.

Cathay Dragon Inaugural Flight

2 November 2018

Cathay Dragon has launched direct flights between Davao and Hong Kong beginning Sunday, October 28. Flights from Hong Kong depart at 12:35 p.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, and arrive in Davao at 3:50 p.m. the same day. Return flights from Davao depart at 4:50 p.m. and arrive in Hong Kong at 8 p.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

AirAsia Stops KUL-DVO

Flight Ends August 21

1 July 2018

Malaysia AirAsia Berhad is dropping its flights between Davao and Kuala Lumpur in August, less than a year after launching the service in December 2017.

In a statement, the budget carrier said it is suspending the four times weekly direct flight starting Aug. 21 due to “commercial reasons.”

The airline has been unable to generate revenue from operating this route resulting to its cancellation despite earlier proposal to reduce frequency to save the route.

To fly Clark-Taipei route on July 12
Its local subsidiary, AirAsia Philippines however is scheduled to offer thrice weekly flight services between Clark - Taipei on July 12.

Cathay Dragon Flies Davao

 Flight Begins October 28

 1 May 2018

Hong Kong's Cathay Dragon will begin flight services to Davao City from October 28, 2018 four times a week. The route is to operated by Airbus A320 aircraft.

KA347 HKG1235 – 1550DVO 320 x146
KA348 DVO1650 – 2000HKG 320 x146

Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok eyed for next foreign route of PAL’s Davao hub

28 March 2018

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has confirmed that it will link Tokyo, Hong Kong and Bangkok to its Davao airport hub soon as part of the airline expansion program.

The route which will be flown by Airbus A321-200 aircraft is already pending for regulatory approvals and likely approved within the year.

The airline operates flights to Zamboanga, Tagbilaran, and Siargao from its Davao hub, while it dropped Cagayan de Oro route very recently due to poor passenger sales.

DVO Expands Destinations

7 March 2018

Davao International Airport (DIA) is growing its domestic and international destinations as new routes are introduce by airlines this year.

In the pipelines are routes to Siargao flown by Philippine Airlines effective March 25 and El Nido flown by Airswift effective May 22.

Two international destination is also opening up this year after airlines secure regulatory approvals. Qatar Airways is expected to begin flight to Doha before the end of the year while renewed flight to Hong Kong is prepared.

DIA is recently connected to Kuala Lumpur by Air Asia, Puerto Princesa by Philippines Air Asia,  Bacolod, Iloilo, Tacloban, Tagbilaran and Dumaguete by Cebu Pacific and Caticlan and Tagbilaran by Philippine Airlines, all being launched last year. PAL however is terminating flight to Cagayan de Oro beginning March 23 due to poor sales.

The airport previously listed Manila, Cebu, Clark, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga as its domestic points while its sole international destination is Singapore.

Air Asia Opens First Flight To Davao From Kuala Lumpur

KUL-DVO Inaugural

6 January 2018

Malaysian Low Cost Carrier Air Asia Berhad (AXM) has flown its inaugural flight to Davao (AK590) on December 21 last week without much funfare arriving at 2:25pm from Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur.

The new route between Davao and Kuala Lumpur will operate four times weekly with 180 seater A320 aircraft. 

The route is the airlines third gateway from the Philippines to Malaysia after Manila, and Cebu after it discontinued connections to Kalibo this week.

Meanwhile, the airline's susidiary, AirAsia Philippines also connects guests to other cities in the Philippines including Clark, Manila, Caticlan, Kalibo, Tacloban, Palawan, Cebu and Tagbilaran.

Kuala Lumpur is Davao's second international point after Singapore.

Yes, Love can stop a plane from flying!

August 9, 2009

Davao City- For Davao International Airport, it was a regular Friday night of operations as PR flight 822 prepares to depart for Manila at 10PM, the airlines last flight. For the Airbus 320 Pilot Captain De Guzman, it was a routine red eye flight check for a 90 minutes flight. But for Dubur Mollik, a 21 year old Bangladeshi national, it was his only chance to reconcile with the love of his life.

In a similar scenario to the last episode of Friends, the television series of Warner Brothers, It was a long night for Dubur as he endure finding sense to know what love is and when he finally manage to find his heart he stood up and begged the flight attendants to get-off the plane. He was talking to somebody on the phone but definitely it was no Regina Phalange (Phoebe Buffay's alter ego), or because there's no left phalange on the plane.





But the boarding gates was already closed by tired agents and the pilot was already preparing his final check for take-off as he planned to be home by midnight, while the groundcrews tow the aircraft away from its stand hoping to call it a day.

Finding futility to his request to deplane, Dubur started to cry. “He was crying and begging the crew to allow him to get off the plane,” says Superintendent Elias Abad, chief of the Aviation Security Group (ASG), quoting stories from the flight captain, the crew and several passengers.

Knowing love himself, the Pilot finally agreed to grant his wish after failing to appease Dubur, but the long delay started apprehensions on other passengers that they too started disembarking the plane.

“Many got mad and argued with the captain about his decision,” said Marj Reyes, one of the passengers.

As a security precaution, the foreigner's luggage had to be removed from the aircraft and the Aviation Security Group had to run a security check once more.

As it turned out, Dufur has a lover's quarrel with his Filipino girlfriend who were vacationing in Davao. He decided to leave ahead of their August 28 flight for Kuwait where they both work. Dufur was already on the plane when he suddenly realized that he could not possibly leave without the woman he loves so he begged the crew to allow him to get off the plane.

The girl was called and the two lovers were reunited at the ASG office a few hours later said Superintendent Abad whom he spoke with and the Filipino girlfriend assured him that Dufur Mollik is a good person.

He told the couple not to fight anymore and to see him in his office before their scheduled flight on August 28. “I just want to make sure they’re together when they leave and the incident will not be repeated,” Abad said in jest.

Asked if the foreigner faced any charges, Abad said Mollik did not commit any crime so he was free to go after the investigation.

Abad said he asked PAL if it was filing a civil case against Mollik for economic loss because only half of the original passengers decided to push through with their flight, "but they too decided not to file any case."

"Who says this can only happen in the movies?" Abad Added. --- with reports from Dennis Jay Santos.

Silk Air posts 100% capacity in 1st quarter

What Cebu Pacific lost is Silkair's gain!




By Carlo P. Mallo

EVEN with a worsening global financial crisis affecting all economies, Silk Air, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, continues to soar high here in Davao City.

As other airlines that cater to the Davao-Singapore route suspended operations or only operated during the peak season, Silk Air still services the Davao-Singapore route four times a week.

In an interview, Ajish Henry Morris, country manager for Silk Air Philippines, told Sun.Star that their flights for the first three months to and from Singapore and Davao City have almost been fully booked.

Morris was in the city Tuesday to celebrate the 20th year anniversary of Silk Air. This year also marks the 12th year of Silk Air here in Davao City.

"We haven't felt the crisis, our flights in 2008 have an average of 92 percent load factor," Morris said.

The Silk Air country manager added that one asset of their company is its vast network of over 91 destinations all over the world.

Unlike budget airlines, which land at the budget airport in Singapore, Silk Air lands at the Terminal 2 of Changqi Airport in Singapore.

"We connect Davao to the world with our wide range of connectivity," Morris said.

Zest flies Davao on March 1

Offers all-you-can-drink Zest-O juice on flights

DAVAO CITY — Zest Airways, Inc., formerly Asian Spirit Airlines, will launch its maiden flight on March 1, 2009 and intends to slug it out with Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific on Manila -Davao route.

The airline controlled by juice magnate Alfredo Yao, will offer competitive rates and dring all you can Zest-O juice drink in flight said Mark E. Hilario, Zest Air assistant vice-president for sales and marketing.

Neil Jason P. Ampo, passenger sales executive, said all the fleets of Asian Spirit had been mothballed since Zest Air decided that it was best for the airline to start fresh with new fleets of aircraft. The airline currently operates 2 airbus 320 with seat capacity of 162, and 4 56-seater Xian MA60 turbo prop airplane.

The airline is undeterred by the slowing economy and the price wars between bigger rivals Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.

Mr. Hilario said that the "The challenge really is how we can create a travel need through good package and competitive rates." Zest Air intends to offer a better service than what Cebu Pacific or Air Philippines currently does, and one of them is by offering drink all you can Zest-O juice drink in whatever flavor the passenger would like.

A promotional all-in rate of P1,698 will offered initially for the Manila-Davao route. But Mr. Ampo said the price would go up to P1,788 after the promotional period. Manila-Davao routes will be served by a 162-seater Airbus 320 and initially by a smaller 56-seater Xian MA60 turbo prop airplane.

A promotional all-in rate of P1,698 will offered initially for the Manila-Davao route. But Mr. Ampo said the price would go up to P1,788 after the promotional period.

Zest Air flies to Caticlan, Busuanga, Calbayog, Catarman, Legaspi, Marinduque, Naga, Puerto Princesa, San Jose and Virac from Manila aside from its regular routes to Tagbilaran, Tacloban, Iloilo, Cebu, Kalibo and Davao.

Mr. Hilario said Zest Air would also launch its Incheon service in May, although it will be a chartered flight to accommodate Korean tourists and students coming to the Philippines. It will be the airlines first international destination.

Zest Air is also applying for rights to fly Hong Kong and Guangzhou in China. It is also bent on serving the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) route network, either or both from Zamboanga or Davao to Manado, Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan.