The province of Aklan has expanded its global network with the resumption of more international direct flights in the province.

Loong Air has returned its operation at the Kalibo International Airport (KIA) with its inaugural flight on June 28, carrying about 171 passengers and was welcomed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) – Kalibo with a ceremonial water cannon salute.

According to Karah Nillasca, acting records officer of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) – Kalibo, Loong Air will operate six times a week from Hangzhou, Ningbo and Winzhou, China this July.

Also from China, OK Air launched its direct flight from Chengdu, China to KIA on July 1 along with 186 tourists bound to Boracay Island.

Nillasca said that OK Air is set to return its regular operations at KIA with flights initially from the cities of Chengdu and Changsha but CAAP-Kalibo is still awaiting for the final schedule.

Currently, KIA serves daily international flights to and from Incheon, South Korea by Philippine Airlines, Air Seoul, and T’ Way Air.

Tiger Air, which started its direct routes from Taipei to Kalibo this June, has three-time weekly flights this July.

Air Busan offers two per week direct flights from Busan to Kalibo.

Meanwhile, Caticlan Airport in Malay is catering Royal Air Philippines with daily direct flights from Taoyuan International Airport.

Aside from internatonal flights, Kalibo and Caticlan airports also accommodate more than 40 domestic flights from Manila, Cebu, and Clark daily.

With all these, CAAP- Kalibo expressed its optimism and confidence that the expansion of domestic and international flights could help in the recovery and gradual boost of the economy of the province with the increased flights catered in Aklan airports.AGP/SQP/PIA Aklan