Local carrier Royal Air Charter Service, Inc. (RACSI) launched Monday its new route connecting Cebu and Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
Ed Novillas, chief executive officer of the Royal Air Philippines, said about 70 passengers were on board their 97-seater AVRO 146 RJ100 aircraft for its maiden flight.
“That is on a 60-day selling lang ang ginawa namin. So for 60 days, we are able to get 70 on the first flight that’s already a big load for us. The passengers now that we see in our booking system, walang baba ng 70 doon sa flight coming out of Cebu. And as people know and recognize Royal Air, I think the load is gonna be full,” Novillas said.
The inaugural flight RW646 arrived at the Puerto Princesa City International Airport (PPCIA) early afternoon on Monday, and flew back after almost two hours.
Novillas said this Cebu-Puerto Princesa-Cebu flights will be four-times-weekly every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
“Afternoon and midday ang dating niya about lunch time, which basically for passengers and tourists, is the most ideal time to arrive in a destination,” said Novillas.
He also said that they expected a market in these flights from both foreign and local tourists, particularly the millennials who usually travel independently in a do-it-yourself (DIY) manner.
We offer lower and competitive prices for bookings targeting young adults who can afford it, he pointed out
“The uniqueness now of the passengers how would you call, the millennials, we’re attracting people aging from 18 to 35 years old. That is seventy percent of the people who book to us. That is basically the market. These are the guys who are the do-it-yourself people who would go to one destination without even a hotel booking. They just want to go there and find their own way,” he also said.
In March this year, Royal Air also started its Clark-Puerto Princesa-Clark flights, which operates on a daily basis.
