Asian Spirit flies to Batanes

BASCO, Batanes — Flights to this northernmost destination, which were interrupted following the Nov. 11 crash of Laoag International Airlines’ Flight 585 in Manila Bay, resumes today as Asian Spirit, the country’s fourth flag carrier, launches its inaugural flight.

Demi Narag, manager of the Ivatan Foundation for Development Communications, which is handling the airline’s operations here, said the Air Transportation Office has given Asian Spirit a clearance to start its operations here.

"Air transportation to and from here has been greatly affected by the air tragedy that befell Laoag Air and with Asian Spirit commencing its long-awaited operations, we expect to ease air travel here in due time," Narag said.

Air travel here is in demand with the onset of the Christmas holidays as students and employees in Manila come home to visit their loved ones.

Chemtrad Aviation, a Laoag City-based airline, cannot meet the demand. It uses a 10-seater BN Islander aircraft.

Asian Spirit is offering three direct flights a week from Manila — on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It will use an Indonesian-made CN235 aircraft, which can accommodate 40 passengers, Narag said.

The flights leave Manila at 5 a.m., arriving here at 7 a.m. Ground time will be 20 minutes. The plane leaves at 7:20 a.m. for the return trip to Manila, arriving there at 9:20 a.m.

A one-way ticket costs P4,150. However, a promotional fare of P3,750 will be offered initially. A 20 percent discount on the regular fare will be extended to senior citizens and students, while children will be entitled to a 50 percent discount.