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AirAsia to hike flights, expand cargo operations to Zamboanga in June
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The low-cost airline will expand daily cargo operations in Zamboanga City following the installation of new x-ray machines and the availability of a bigger warehouse
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The expansion will allow AirAsia to fly more than 200 tons of both passengers and commercial cargo per month
AirAsia Philippines will hike flights and expand cargo operations to Zamboanga City in June.
The airline will begin expansion of daily cargo operations in Zamboanga City following the installation of new x-ray machines and the availability of a bigger warehouse, AirAsia said in a statement.
The expansion will allow AirAsia to fly more than 200 tons of both passengers and commercial cargo per month, enabling increased shipments between Zamboanga and Manila.
Starting June, flights to Zamboanga City will also be conducted daily to stimulate tourism and the economy in the region. The airline initially flew twice a week when it launched the route in October 2020.
Zamboanga City is the center of economic activity in the Mindanao region, with 90% of its cargo requirement allotted to marine products exports.
“Zamboanga City is the gateway to the entire peninsula, making it a critical and strategic hub for any transport business. We hope that with the increased flight frequency and expanded cargo operations, we can continue to aid in the growth of the city’s tourism and trade industries, said Steve Dailisan, AirAsia Philippines head of communications and public affairs in a statement.
“We are confident that Zamboanga City, through the Zamboanga City International Airport, is poised to be a key economic driver for the region as the country gears for post-pandemic recovery,” he added.
Meanwhile, a survey commissioned by AirAsia Philippines in December 2021 revealed that 29% of general travelers would like to spend time and explore Zamboanga, while 31% of those coming from the Visayas region will also visit the city.
From 125,614 tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2020, the number of visitors to Zamboanga slipped to 23,010 in the same period in 2021, an 81.68% drop.
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