MANILA, Philippines - We have evangelized and romanticized about the great things happening for the local traveler. There are the fantastic vacation spots, the new resorts and hotels, the friendly fares, and the new modes of transportation.
The latter provides options for local travelers, whichever way they want to reach their destinations. At the end of the day, it is all about giving the Filipino a chance to travel.
The latter also boasts of a new development in the form of Zest Air’s first international flight: Hong Kong via Clark.
The maiden flight took place last Oct. 24, and was greeted by well-wishers and passengers alike with glee. The Clark-Hong Kong flight is available once daily. It leaves Clark at 3:50 p.m. for a two-hour flight to Hong Kong. The return flight from Hong Kong is at 6:40 p.m. and arrives at Clark at 8:30 p.m.
The flight itself is a pleasant one, with Zest Air’s friendly and competent flight attendants and pilots taking command. As part of its service, Zest Air serves in-flight meals — good value indeed for the weary, psyched-up traveler.
Zest Air’s Hong Kong trip makes use of the brand-new 162/168-seater Airbus 320. It is a comfortable single-aisle plane that gives enough legroom and space to move. The plane is likewise globally recognized as the benchmark of single-aisle aircraft.
“Our A320s provide our passengers with added space and comfort. It has proven to be reliable and operate at cost-efficient levels,” says Zest Air president and CEO Ambassador Alfredo Yao.
Highlight of the inauguration program was the ceremonial turnover of Zest Air’s Airbus 320 aircraft model by Zest Air’s EVP and COO Capt. Eliseo Tabora to Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) president and COO Victor Jose Luciano.
Gracing the occasion were CIAC chairman Arch. Nestor Mangio, Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab, and CIAC EVP and CEO Alexander Cauguiran.
Zest Air’s opening of the Hong Kong route is part of the airline’s expansion program to other Asian destinations. Soon, Zest Air will be offering flights to Sandakan, Malaysia; Shanghai, China; Incheon, Korea; Singapore; as well as Fukuoka and Osaka in Japan.
By opening this particular flight at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, travelers from the North need not go all the way to the domestic airport in the South to be able to catch their flight to Hong Kong.
The airline is currently serving a network of 20 destinations across the country, to and from the Manila and Cebu hubs, including Boracay via Kalibo, Bacolod, Busuanga, Cagayan de Oro, Calbayog, Catarman, Clark, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Marinduque, Naga, Puerto Princesa, San Jose Mindoro, Siargao, Surigao, Tablas, Tacloban. Tagbilaran, Virac, and Zamboanga.
In addition, Zest Air has signed an agreement with Amadeus, in line with the airline’s aim of expanding its distribution network. Amadeus is the leading global distribution system and the biggest processor of travel bookings around the world.
With this latest development, Zest Air is fast gaining a foothold in the airline industry and creating a buzz among travelers as an airline of choice. Truly, flying to a destination like Hong Kong — known for its sights, sounds, shopping, and savory cuisine — has never been this accessible.
* * *
For more information, bookings, or flights, call Zest Air’s reservation hotline at 855-3333 or visit the official website at www.zestair.com.ph.