PAL resumes La Union flight

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – The Philippine Airlines has resumed operation last week at the newly renovated and expanded Poro Point International Airport here while the formal launching of its inaugural flight was set on Aug. 15.

Josefa Catherine Bada, vice president for airport operation of the Poro Point Management Corp., told The STAR that PAL will be flying in from Manila to San Fernando, vise versa, every Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Bada said PAL will be using its Q300 and Q400 planes that can accommodate 56 and 74 passengers, respectively.

“We are now officially open since Aug. 7 but we will be holding the formal launching of domestic flight on Aug. 15,” Bada said

Lawyer Felix Racadio, PPMC president and chief executive officer, told The STAR recently that the resumption of PAL flights will enhance economic activities in La Union particularly inside the Poro Point Freeport Zone.

“PAL’s decision to include San Fernando in its expansion program is a big boost to the ongoing efforts of transforming the Freeport Zone into a world-class tourism and commercial destination,” Racadio said.

PPMC initiated the airport’s upgrading and expansion early this year after President Arroyo approved the allocation of at least P500 million for the repair and construction of several facilities and installation of navigational equipment.

Racadio said businessmen in La Union and its neighboring provinces welcomed PAL’s expansion program because it will ease their travel time going to and from Manila.

“In no time, Poro Point and the rest of La Union will be more accessible to the domestic and foreign tourism markets,” he said.

He said that the airport’s runway and the upgrading of its facilities can now accommodate international flights using B-737 and A320 aircrafts.

Stuck up

Meanwhile, PAL’s Express, a twin turbo prop plane got stuck at the end of a runway in Catarman, Samar at 8:27 a.m. yesterday when the plane’s landing gear fell off the edge of the runway while turning around at the terminal shortly after landing.

None of the 78 passengers and crew of Flight PR209, a brand-new turbo-prop DeHaviland 4 type plane was reported hurt.    – With Rudy Santos