DAVAO CITY (July 19) — Here’s the good news!
A direct Davao-Japan flight will soon open via the country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines.
This, after the members of the Davao City Council on July 10, unanimously passed a resolution, asking the management of PAL to open a direct flight from Davao airport to Narita Japan.
Davao City Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre in an interview with NewsLine.ph said Japan’s business community has been asking for a direct flight to the Davao, citing their interest in the home city of President Rodrigo Duterte and the beautiful things they hear about Davao.
Alejandre, chairperson of the Committee on Tourism said “The City has more to offer to our Japanese friends and tourists, they treasure the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and his wife to the house of our President, they viewed it as a symbol of real friendship between the two countries.”
The opening of a direct flight, according to Alejandre, would not only boost Davao City’s tourism industry, but will greatly help families of Davaoeños working in Japan and vice versa.
The good relationship between Davao and Japan dates back in the early part of the 19th century, when Japanese migrants started to settle in the city.
A Japanese memorial shrine was even established several years back.
Every September, Japanese tourists flock to Mintal this city to visit the shrine,
Alejandre said he is looking forward to the realization of the Davao-Japan direct flight.
Earlier on, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCII) passed a resolution urging the management of PAL to open a direct Davao-Japan flight.
The DCCII president Arturo Milan said the Davao-Japan direct flight will take off given the strong support of the Japanese business sector.
Alejandre said the resolution is supported by the business sector and tourism stakeholders.
The proposed Davao-Japan direct route is a joint initiative of the DCCCII and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce. Both business Chambers are targeting the month of August in time for the Kadayawan Festival.
The management of PAL, according to Alejandre, noticed the high demand for Davao to Japan direct flight, a reason why “they are putting Davao-Japan flight as a priority.”
With the arrival of the PAL’s new aircraft, Alejandre said, the Davao-Japan flight is in the offing.
As it is now, Japan-bound Davaoeños will either fly via Davao-Singapore-Japan or Davao-Manila-Japan.
“I am hoping that the inaugural flight will happen very soon,” Alejandre stressed.-Editha Z. Caduaya/NewsLine.ph
