Philippine Airlines Inaugurates New Cebu-Laoag Flight Route
On Friday, December 15, Philippine Airlines officially launched its inaugural Cebu-Laoag flight, landing at the Laoag International Airport. The new domestic route will operate twice weekly with morning departures.
Flight PR 2251 will depart from Cebu for Laoag every Tuesday and Friday at 7:35 a.m., arriving at 10:05 a.m. Return flight PR 2252 will depart from Laoag at 10:25 a.m., reaching Cebu at 12:35 p.m.
The establishment of this route was initiated by the provincial government of Ilocos Norte with the aim of boosting tourism, business, and leisure travel opportunities between the two provinces. In 2013, Cebu and Ilocos Norte signed a sisterhood agreement to strengthen ties in various sectors including tourism, agriculture, renewable energy, and investment opportunities.
Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc expressed excitement about the new route and its potential impact on the province. He greeted passengers during a short program after the arrival of the flight, stating, “We are very excited because we are opening up our province, our small, humble province of Ilocos Norte, to the central and southern Philippines. We are grateful to Philippine Airlines for this partnership, and we know that both of us will do everything we can to make sure this route is not only sustainable but also accessible for the benefit of both provinces of Cebu and Ilocos Norte.”
Gervy James Gumarit, Communication and Media Officer for Ilocos Norte, highlighted that the collaboration between Ilocos Norte and Cebu presents a unique opportunity for visitors to explore a wide range of tourist attractions, scenic views, and hidden gems in Ilocos Norte. Additionally, the new flight route is expected to facilitate business and leisure travel while also opening up potential areas of investment in the province.
The inaugural flight was witnessed by local officials, tourism stakeholders, and Cebu-based online influencers who attended the mini-Himala sa Buhangin! Arts and Music Festival at the Ilocos Norte Sand Dunes in Paoay after landing. The event marked an exciting start to the partnership between Cebu and Ilocos Norte, offering promising prospects for tourism and economic development.
