KALIBO, Aklan – The Kalibo International Airport is ready to welcome more travelers, according to airport manager Engineer Eusebio Monserate Jr.
Many travelers – especially the Boracay-bound – are expected to take advantage of the relaxed requirements as cases of coronavirus disease drops.
For over a year, the pandemic cut the number of passengers drastically, and only returning residents used the Kalibo airport everyday.
“Damu na pasahero dahil sa paghaluga sang requirements sa Aklan. May mga airline companies gusto magdugang sang flights sa Kalibo,” said Monserate.
Airport personnel were hopeful, too, that international flights would resume, he added.
Currently, flights to Kalibo airport are limited and being served by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Asia Philippines.
Caticlan airport, on the other hand, is busier than before being the designated entry and exit point for Boracay tourists.
Since Nov. 16, Aklan started recognizing vaccination certificates or vaccination cards issued by local government units. Fully vaccinated travellers no longer needed to submit swab or saliva test results.
But travellers are still reminded to follow strict health precautions such as wearing of face masks, regular washing of hands and social distancing to stem the surge of coronavirus.
Kalibo International Airport serves the general area of Kalibo, the capital of Aklan province, and is one of two airports serving Boracay, the other being Godofredo P. Ramos Airport (also known as Caticlan Airport) in the municipality of Malay, Aklan.
Kalibo International Airport is situated two kilometers east of the main area of Kalibo and 68 kilometers from Caticlan port in Malay.
It is the fastest growing airport in the Philippines in terms of passenger traffic with more than 50% growth in 2010, and 2nd fastest for seats offered for June 2014 over the corresponding month of the previous year (20%)./PN
