Air Juan to launch Cebu-Catbalogan flights

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 29  -- A budget commercial air carrier will have its maiden Catbalogan-Cebu flight starting December.

The operations of Air Juan to Catbalogan City is projected to boosts its tourism industry, hasten transportation of people and help its economy, according to city officials.

Earlier, Air Juan executives inspected Catbalogan Airport on Buri Island for them to see the viability of the said facility.

With the new route, Air Juan now services three areas in the region including Cebu-Maasin and Cebu-Naval routes.

City tourism officer Ador Hurtado said they are excited with the entry of Air Juan to Catbalogan City, the provincial capital of Samar province, some 112 kilometers north of tacloban City -- the regional capital.

The operation of Air Juan coincides with the city's hosting of an international conference on climate change to be attended by more than 200 participants from different countries, Hurtado said.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the city’s airport is now ready to accommodate light aircraft flights. The airport’s runway will be expanded next year to accommodate bigger planes.

Air Juan is a pioneering aviation company in the Philippines that provides fast and hassle-free air transport services to some of the Philippines most beautiful and less-chartered destinations like Baler, Balesin, Boracay Island, Busuanga, Coron, Cuyo, Mamburao, Marinduque, Puerto Galera and Subic.

The company, the first commercial seaplane operator in the Philippines, is a duly licensed scheduled airline by CAAP, Civil Aeronautics Board, and also accredited by the Department of Tourism as a Tourist Air Transport provider. (RTA/PNA)