The resumption of the Clark-Bacolod-Clark flights is being eyed by the provincial government of Negros Occidental, after it allowed 21 flights per week for three airline companies from Cebu and Manila.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz yesterday said that he and the Provincial Tourism Office, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines–Bacolod office, representatives of the Clark Airport, and the Provincial Tourism Office of Pampanga discussed Nov. 24 the details on the possible resumption of Clark-Bacolod-Clark flights by the Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Diaz said that PAL and Cebu Pacific serviced the Bacolod-Silay and Clark Airport route with a load factor average of 60 percent.
The tentative schedule for the resumption of the Clark-Bacolod flight has been set in the third week of December. But Diaz said the two airline companies are hesitant if there is not enough demand for it.
With the ongoing pandemic, Diaz said the two airline companies are not sure if they could hit the 60 percent passenger load capacity.
While he offered the possibility of switching some flights from Manila-Bacolod-Manila to Clark-Bacolod-Clark, Diaz said the airline companies refused the offer, saying the Manila-Bacolod-Manila flight is viable for them.
Based on the proposed resumption of operations, there will be three trips for each airline company, which can leave 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. from Clark, while the returning flights can leave in the afternoon.
Diaz said the airline companies can choose the day of travel.
He added that the proposed resumption of the Clark-Bacolod-Clark route will offer another option for Negrenses and Bacolod City residents to make their travel easier, comfortable, and cheaper, as well as improve the economy. – GB
