LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – Flag carrier Philippine Airlines launched its maiden Cebu-Laoag flight on Friday, December 15, which touched down at the Laoag International Airport.
PAL said that their new domestic route has twice weekly flights with morning departures.
Flight PR 2251 leaves Cebu for Laoag every Tuesday and Friday at 7:35 a.m. and arrives at 10:05 a.m. Return flight PR 2252 departs Laoag at 10:25 a.m. and reach Cebu at 12:35 p.m.
The provincial government of Ilocos Norte initiated this route to boost tourism, business, and leisure travel opportunities and allow travelers to fully immerse themselves in the diverse attractions in the two provinces.
Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc and the Tourism Office of PGIN collaborated with PAL and Cebu officials to establish the flight.
Cebu and Ilocos Norte signed a sisterhood agreement in 2013 to reinforce their ties through proactive collaborations in tourism, agriculture, renewable energy, and potential investment opportunities.
Manotoc warmly greeted passengers in a short program after the arrival of the flight.
"I’m so glad to see you this morning, we have truly made history. We’re on the first commercial flight from Cebu to Laoag. We are very excited because we are opening up our province, our small, humble province of Ilocos Norte, to the central and southern Philippines,” he said.
“We are grateful to Philippine Airlines for this partnership, and we know that both of us will do everything we can to make sure this route is not only sustainable but also accessible for the benefit of both provinces of Cebu and Ilocos Norte.”
Ilocos Norte Communications and Media Officer Gervy James Gumarit said the partnership between Ilocos Norte and Cebu enables visitors to experience and enjoy an array of tourist attractions, scenic views, and other hidden gems in Ilocos Norte.
Gumarit said the flight paves a path for business and leisure travelers in Cebu to expand their entrepreneurial pursuits and other potential areas of investment in Ilocos Norte.
Passengers composed of local officials, tourism stakeholders, and Cebu-based online influencers witnessed the mini-Himala sa Buhangin! Arts and Music Festival at the Ilocos Norte Sand Dunes in Paoay, Ilocos Norte after the flight.