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The Mindanao Development Authority and Leading Edge Air Services Corp. are exploring the potential resumption of air connectivity between Davao and Manado, Indonesia
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MinDA and LEASCOR on January 4 led an exploratory business mission to North Sulawesi, Indonesia to assess the current market conditions and opportunities for reinstating the Davao-Manado air route
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The service was halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and Leading Edge Air Services Corp. (LEASCOR) are mulling the reestablishment of air connectivity between Davao and Manado, Indonesia.
On January 4, MinDA and LEASCOR, the aviation arm of ACDI Multi-Purpose Cooperative (AMPC), spearheaded an exploratory business mission to North Sulawesi, Indonesia, aiming to evaluate market conditions and opportunities for reinstating the Davao-Manado air route, which ceased operations in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The route had previously been served by various airlines, including Sriwijaya Air, Merpati Airlines, and Bouraq Airlines. Garuda Indonesia Airlines briefly revived the route on September 27, 2019, with flights on Mondays and Fridays, but it also suspended operations in 2020 amid the pandemic.
MinDA’s deputy executive director, Romeo Montenegro, expressed optimism about the project, stating, “Davao-Manado has always been a viable air connectivity. We find this mission an opportune time in realizing this project. Hopefully, this time it will have more interactions, exchanges, and mobility between Manado–Davao, and the larger Mindanao and North Sulawesi.”
During a stakeholders’ meeting, Joji Ilagan–Bian, chairperson for Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry–Mindanao, suggested reinstating Manado–Davao EAGA initiatives in tourism, trade, education, and agribusiness. She proposed exploring opportunities like student internship programs, joint hospitality and tourism endeavors, and cultural exchanges.
Manado Mayor Andrei Angouw emphasized the importance of learning from past experiences to develop a sustainable and comprehensive approach. He stated, “We can explore many possibilities, but we must learn from our mistakes this time. Trade and connectivity must go hand in hand so that we can connect businesses and visit each other more frequently.”
Gilbert S. Llanto, ACDI MPC chairperson, stressed the need for collective support and commitment from the business and private sectors of both Davao and Manado. He highlighted the importance of ensuring a sustainable passenger load factor, continuous operation, and vibrant economic activities for both EAGA focus areas.
The Davao-Manado air connectivity is part of the Mindanao-North Sulawesi gateways under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Connectivity Master Plan. The objective is to link the Philippine archipelago with its ASEAN neighbors.
Davao City has had a sisterhood agreement with Manado and Bitung since 1993, both located in North Sulawesi.
