BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The resumption of Clark-Bacolod-Clark flights is now being eyed by the provincial government of Negros Occidental, after allowing 21 flights per week for three airline companies.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz yesterday said that he and the Provincial Tourism Office as well as the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines –Bacolod office and representatives of the Clark Airport authorities, Provincial Tourism Office of Pampanga discussed details on the possible resumption of Clark-Bacolod-Clark flights by the Philippine Air Lines and Cebu Pacific on November 24.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Diaz said that PAL and Cebu Pacific, which service the Bacolod-Silay and Clark Airport route, had a load factor average of 60 percent.
The tentative schedule for the resumption of Clark-Bacolod-Clark flight has been set on the third week of next month.
But Diaz said the two airline companies are hesitant to open flights in those areas, as they stressed that there might be on the losing side if there is not enough demand for it.
With the ongoing pandemic, Diaz said the two airline companies are not sure if they could hit the 60 percent load capacity of passengers.
While he offered the possibility of switching some flights from Manila-Bacolod-Manila to Clark-Bacolod-Clark routes, Diaz said the two airline companies refused the offer, as they pointed out Manila-Bacolod-Manila flight is viable for them.
Based on the proposed resumption of trips, there will be three flights for each airline company, which will leave 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. from Clark and the Bacolod to Clark flight can leave in the afternoon.
Diaz said the airline companies have the option on what day they would choose for the Clark-Bacolod-Clark route.
The proposed resumption of Clark-Bacolod-Clark route would offer another option for Negrenses and Bacolod City residents’ easier, comfortable, and cheaper travel, as well as the improve the economy, he added.*
