BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong here hopes that Philippine Airlines commercial flights from Baguio to Cebu and vice versa will resume after the rainy season.

A PHILIPPINE Airlines aircraft at Loakan Airport in Baguio City. (Photo via Zaldy Comanda)
The flag carrier had earlier announced that they are halting flights to this city from the Queen City of the South effective July 1 due to poor passenger traffic.
“There is no saying that their operation is permanently closed. Actually, in the last two months, I have been told and they apologized for their decision to stop operations due to losses. We still hope that they will return after the end of the rainy season," said Magalong.
He said clouds here are low in the morning and afternoon and as a result, a plane cannot land.
“We also know that there are passengers who will not board the plane, especially if the airlines themselves cancel the flights because our area is very cloudy.”
“This issue does not have much effect on our tourism or economy, because there is still the Clark International Airport which is close to our city," Magalong said.
Magalong said the rehabilitation of Loakan Airport is ongoing to enable other airlines that want to do business here to use the facility.
Jovi Ganongan, Department of Tourism-Cordillera chief, said the cessation of commercial flights by PAL has no significant impact on tourism.
“But still, we are saddened and understand that many factors may have led to their decision. We will revisit discussions with the airlines for a possible reinstatement once the current challenges are addressed,” Ganongan said.