DAVAO CITY — Leading Edge Air Services Corporation (LEASCOR), the aviation arm of ACDI Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) is eyeing to start servicing the air route between Davao in the Philippines and Manado in Indonesia by March this year and is looking at a three-times a week flight schedule.
LEASCOR and Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) led an exploratory business mission to North Sulawesi, Indonesia to assess the potential resumption of the Davao – Manado air connectivity.
Major General Gilbert S. Llanto, chairman of ACDI MPC, told BusinessWorld that they are currently working and completing all the requirements from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) and are hopeful to complete them by mid-February this year.
“So that we can hopefully start flying by March this year. We initially contemplated two frequencies a week but when we went there those who were involved in the previous operators said that the best thing is three times a week as an introductory flight. Because of too long a gap people will forget and trade for other destinations because there are more flights. We are looking at three times a week,” Mr. Llanto said in a phone interview.
He added that aviation professionals who are running airlines also advised them that three times a week would be a very favorable frequency.
Utilizing a Leading Edge 70-seater ATR 72-500, Mr. Llanto said they are targeting a load capacity from Davao to Manado of about 65 percent to 70 percent plus cargo.
“That’s the break-even load factor and it’s very easy to hit that load factor in a month or two as long as everyone will pass the word around,” Mr. Llanto said.
He is optimistic that with the cooperation of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) and the academe, they can meet the target load factor.
Mr. Llanto said that they are targeting traders and passengers from the academe, health care, and tourism for the said air route. “Tourism is very robust in that area,” he said.
Previously, the route was served by Bouraq Air from 1992 until 2004. It was revived by Sriwijaya and Merpati Airlines in 2007. Then Garuda Indonesia reopened the flight in 2019 until the COVID-19 lockdown. — Maya M. Padillo
