ILOILO CITY —The Aklan provincial government appealed to flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) to maintain its Manila-Kalibo and vice versa flights after it announced that it will halt the routes starting March 1, 2025.
“We continue to appeal to you to sustain PAL’s Kalibo-Manila operation via our Kalibo International Airport. This is the plea of our fellow Aklanons, tourists, and investors,” said Gov. Jose Enrique “Joen” Miraflores.
The airport at the provincial capital serves as gateway to many tourists going to and from Boracay Island, the country’s most popular beach destination in Malay town, Aklan.
The Miraflores administration reiterated to maintain the flights at Kalibo as there has been a push to promote Aklan tourism outside of Boracay.
The impending flight cuts in Kalibo is seen to have an impact beyond tourism including other industries that rely on flights for logistical concerns.
Mirafloes said the flight cuts in Kalibo will have a negative impact on the local economy, including restaurants and hotels.
PAL said that it will still serve domestic flights in Aklan with flights at Caticlan or Boracay Airport in mainland Malay town.
PAL flights at Caticlan Airport are seen to ease travel for Boracay tourists as it will save them almost an hour of land travel compared to if they go via Kalibo International Airport.
The Caticlan Airport is operated by TransAire Development Holdings Corp., a subsidiary of San Miguel Corp. (SMC).