BY NYARIKA DOMANAIS
ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas has requested three airlines operating at the Iloilo Airport to increase the number of local flights and reinstate international routes.
Treñas cited the high cost of Manila-Iloilo flights compared to Manila-Bacolod and other routes.
The significant fare difference affects many travelers, he said.
“I traveled to Manila recently, and the Manila-Iloilo flights were much more expensive compared to Manila-Bacolod and other routes,” Treñas said.
He emphasized the heavy traffic on Manila-Iloilo and vice versa flights, arguing that additional flights would help reduce ticket prices.
“Many people travel on Manila-Iloilo and Iloilo-Manila flights, so I requested more flights to bring down the prices,” he said.
The mayor also pointed out the large number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Iloilo expressing hope for the reinstatement of flights to Hong Kong and Singapore to ease their travel.
“I hope the Hong Kong and Singapore flights will return to make it easier for them. That’s what I wrote to our airlines,” said Treñas.
The Iloilo Airport used to host regular flights to and from Hong Kong and Singapore but these were all cancelled when the COVID-19 pandemic struck beginning in 2020./PN
