Philippine Airlines on Thursday, June 9, launched a direct flight between Cotabato and Tawi-Tawi, marking the first inter-Bangsamoro commercial flight in history.
Local government officials witnessed the arrival of the Airbus A320 aircraft from Cotabato. Upon arrival at Sanga-Sanga Airport in Tawi-Tawi, a traditional water cannon salute welcomed the first flight.
Upon arrival, PAL Express OIC Rabbi Vincent Ang turned over a PAL aircraft model to Tawi-Tawi Governor Yshmael Sali.
Before departure, airline officials and leaders of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Mindanao Development Authority, and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) participated in a cake-cutting ceremony to mark the start of the new route.
The Cotabato-Tawi-Tawi route provides direct air connectivity between two key areas in BARMM.
“This is a dream come true for the people of Cotabato and Tawi Tawi. Prior to this pioneer service, travelers from Cotabato had to fly to Manila and connect to Zamboanga and from there, take either a flight or boat ride to Tawi Tawi,” PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said.
The new route operates twice-weekly every Monday and Thursday, aboard the 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft.
Flight 2P-2487 departs from Cotabato at 7:30am and arrives in Tawi-Tawi at 8:40am. The return flight, 2P-2488 departs from Tawi-Tawi at 9:40am and arrives back to Cotabato at 10:50am.
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