LEASCOR to launch direct Pagadian-Caticlan flight by December

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY, October 21 – The direct flight from Pagadian to Caticlan will be launched by Leading Edge Air Service Corporation (LEASCOR) at the Pagadian airport in the month of December, this year.

Thus disclosed Mayor Samuel Co during the press conference held recently.

Co said that LEASCOR through its new plane ATR-72500 conducted a 100-hrs test flight from Pagadian City to Caticlan in the province of Aklan on October 19.

Co added that the commercial plane with 74 seating capacity will be used for the proposed direct flight to Pagadian-Caticlan (vice versa).

The good mayor added that he promised the public last year to have a direct flight from Pagadian to Boracay island, one of the best beaches in the world.

"The flight from Pagadian to Caticlan for me is a 'dropped by the heavens' or an answer to my request because LEASCOR called and informed me that they will conduct a test flight since their new plane has arrived. I am very happy that my wish to have a direct flight from Pagadian to Boracay has come true because this is what I promised to the public more than two years ago," Co said happily.

The mayor announced that LEASCOR has applied for a flight permit from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAV) so that it can operate this year.

He added that the marketing team of LEASCOR will come back to Pagadian to negotiate with him on the scheduled flight and how much the cost of airfare.

"I will also request that the flight from Pagadian to Caticlan will be scheduled twice a week so that many local tourists can avail of its services including people from neighboring cities and provinces in Zamboanga Peninsula," Co added.

Local chief executive is optimistic that having a direct flight from Pagadian to Caticlan is an opportunity for the city to further develop tourism because commercial planes will be added to the Pagadian Airport. (jcc/Pagadian Times)