New airline to serve Batanes

BASCO, Batanes – Fledgling airline South East Asia Airline (Seair) starts flying a direct service here today from Manila at a very minimal one – way fare of P6,450.

The Manila – Basco service will use the 32-seater Dornier 328 aircraft. It is scheduled to operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays only. The flight departs Manila at 7 a.m. and arrives here at 8:15 a.m. The return flight leaves here at 10 a.m. and arrives Manila at 11:15 a.m.

Seair is the second ailrine to operate here. Asian Spirit operates here on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The new airline provides an alternative opportunity to reach and depart from this newest tourists’ destination, although it charges a little higher than Asian Spirit, the chances of getting an accommodation especially for wait-listed passengers would not be subject to hassles at the check-in counter.

This is because the airline’s operation will be on a chartered basis by the Batanes Cultural Travel Agency, Inc., which formally opens its doors to the traveling public today.       – Jack Castaño