MANILA, Philippines - South East Asian Airlines’ (SEAIR) unveiled to the public this week its first Airbus to fly international destinations at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark, Pampanga.
A second Airbus will start operating early next year.
The blessing of the 144-seater plane was witnessed by key government officials and businessmen. President Aquino led the roster of distinguished guests who included Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad, Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) president Victor Jose Luciano, and Hennan Hotel Management chairman Henry Chusuey.
“Using the new A319 Airbus aircraft, SEAIR projects monthly air passenger traffic in Clark to increase by more than 60 percent or an additional 200,000 passengers annually,” said SEAIR president Avelino Zapanta.
SEAIR (www.FlySeair.com) will initially offer low-cost jet flights between Clark and Singapore beginning Dec. 16. Additional routes will be added in the coming months.
“The introduction of these new flights will create a welcome boost to the Philippine tourism industry and create more high-caliber local jobs,” Zapanta said.
SEAIR is the first airline locator in the Clark Special Economic Zone and the second firm to put its trust and confidence in the Clark Development Corp.
It is also the first Tiger Airways partner airline and will market and distribute its seats using Tiger Airways’ established Internet booking system, tigerairways.com.
“The resulting operational and cost efficiencies will ensure more low fare seats are available and contribute to the growth of SEAIR and the Clark gateway, benefiting customers in the Philippines and across the Asia-Pacific region,” Zapanta said.
According to the CIAC, an average of 25,000 passengers land every month at the DMIA.
SEAIR was founded in 1995 with an initial investment of P2 million and two nine-seater planes. Through the years, it has helped develop and brought travelers to some of the most breathtaking destinations in the country, including Batanes, Palawan, and Boracay.
It has the longest history of uninterrupted flights to Caticlan, having served this gateway to one of the world’s top beach destinations, Boracay, for almost 16 years.
This year, SEAIR was named Gold Brand by the Gold Brands Council Philippines for brand image appeal and trust and market acceptance.
It was awarded Best Airline of the Year for two consecutive years, in 2002 and 2003, and in 2009 by the Philippines’ Consumer Excellence Award.
Over the years, SEAIR has participated in numerous corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities as part of its mission “to support environmental conservation and community empowerment through educational awareness and direct involvement.”
One of its most significant projects was the “Kayang Kaya! (We Can Do It!) Historic Flights for Dreams” world tour in April 2004 initiated by SEAIR chairman and respected aviator Iren Dornier (www.Do-24.com).
Dornier refurbished the Dornier 24, an aircraft that can land and take off on both land and water, and flew to over 90 destinations worldwide.
Dornier’s objectives were to pay tribute to his grandfather, aviation pioneer Claude Dornier, the first to do a world tour via the Do-X, and to raise funds for UNICEF programs on child education and protection.
SEAIR is an active member of the Boracay Foundation, which has always been at the forefront of Boracay’s environment preservation with projects such as coral reef restoration, beach cleanup, and solid waste management.
SEAIR currently has an ongoing corporate social campaign with WE International Inc. Philippines, an NGO that provides sustainable ways to respond to poverty in the Philippines by facilitating economic development through education projects, micro lending, environment initiatives, and sustainable business development services.
SEAIR currently flies to Boracay, Batanes, and Romblon. The airline recently announced that it will be increasing its Batanes flights to up to twice daily for the winter and summer season from December to June.
Go to www.FlySeair.com for the best deals or call (+632) 849-0100 for more information.