published April 27, 2011 in BusinessWorld
GUIUAN, EASTERN SAMAR -- Having failed to convince flag carriers to open commercial flights to this coastal town, the municipal government will ask interested private sector parties to generate funds that will subsidize charter flights to bring in more tourists.
Guiuan, located at the southernmost tip of Samar Island, is the jump-off point to Calicoan Island, dubbed the surfing capital of the Visayas.
Guiuan Mayor Analiza G. Kwan said in a recent phone interview that such subsidy will be needed only until passenger traffic improves to warrant commercial flights. "An option is to talk to all the investors here in Guiuan to put up an economic enterprise that will generate funds, considering that the local government cannot afford it...," Ms. Kwan said.
She recalled that officials of the country’s carriers had advised her to start with charter flights between Manila and Guiuan.
"But 75% of seats for incoming flights and 50% for returning flights should be filled [in charter flights]. If we fall short of that, we have to pay the corresponding amount," she said.
She said this is the next step to the recently completed P155-million Guiuan Airport Development Project, involving the construction and concreting of apron and taxiway, rehabilitation of the passenger terminal, construction of the perimeter fence and access road, and asphalt overlay of runway. -- S. Q. Meniano
No comments:
Post a Comment