PAL Express Jumpstarts Dialogue on Davao-Manado Flights with Visit to Stakeholders in Indonesia
The Mindanao Development Authority-Philippine Airlines delegation meets with officials of the Sam Ratulangi International Airport to discuss airline operations in the Indonesian city. (Manado PCG photo)
MANADO 25 September 2018 — The Philippine Consulate General in Manado, in cooperation with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and Philippine Airlines, organized a series of meeting with the Provincial Government of North Sulawesi, the City Government of Manado, Sam Ratulangi International Airport, and leading players in the tourism industry in the region on 07 September 2018 to discuss airline operation between Davao and Manado.
MinDA Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro and Philippine Airlines’ Charlie Yu led a delegation of government officials and airline executives in a series of meetings on 07 September 2018 in Manado City, Indonesia.
A top-level delegation of Indonesian airport and immigration officials assembled at Sam Ratulangi International Airport to present to the Philippine delegation a detailed description of its airport facilities and equipment.
The briefing underscored the capacity of Sam Ratulangi Airport to support a wide-range of aircraft types that can be used to service the Davao-Manado route.
To reinforce this point, the Philippine delegation was taken to a guided tour of key airport facilities, including the runway, which gave the Philippine delegation critical insights into the operations of the airport.
Later that day, the Philippine delegation paid a courtesy call on North Sulawesi Vice Governor Steven Kandouw, who assured the Philippine delegation that the revival of the Davao-Manado flights has his full support and endorsement.
Manado Vice Mayor Maximilian Lomban echoed the optimism of Vice Governor Kandouw when the Philippine delegation also paid him a courtesy visit in his office. He said the flights will stimulate tourism and commerce on both sides of the Philippine-Indonesian border.
The day culminated in a meeting between the Philippine delegation and leaders of travel agencies who are keen to develop the tourism market in both Davao and Manado. Industry leaders zealously pointed out encouraging market indicators, and pledged to promote passenger traffic to keep the Davao-Manado air service viable. END
For more information, visit www.manadopcg.dfa.gov.ph.
The Philippine Consulate General in Manado team welcomed Mindanao Development Authority Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro (front row, 2nd from right) and Charlie Yu (front row, middle) of Philippine Airlines and their team of experts at the Consulate General in Manado, North Sulawesi. (Manado PCG photo)
Officials of Sam Ratulangi International Airport took the members of the Mindanao Development Authority-Philippine Airlines delegation to a guided tour of airport facilities. (Manado PCG photo)
North Sulawesi Vice Governor Steven Kandouw (left) assured the MINDA-PAL delegation of his support for the revival of the Davao-Manado airline service. (Manado PCG photo)
Manado Vice Mayor Mor Bastiaan expressed optimism in the potential of air connection to stimulate economic growth in Davao and Manado. (Manado PCG photo)
Major players in the travel industry of North Sulawesi met with the MINDA-PAL delegation to discuss ways to ensure the commercial viability of the Davao-Manado airline service. (Manado PCG photo)