La Union airport seen to boost north Luzon trade

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – The newly rehabilitated San Fernando Airport here is expected to boost trade and economy in northern Luzon after its inauguration last week, Mayor Pablo C. Ortega said.

Poro Point Management Corp., a subsidiary of the Bases Conversion Development Authority, started last year the upgrading and expansion of the airport after President Arroyo approved the allocation of at least P500 million for the project, which also calls for the installation of aeronautical equipment.

Philippine Airlines flights between San Fernando and Manila will be resumed with frequency of four times a week -- on Monday, Wednesday, Fridays and Sunday, Ortega said.

"Hopefully, it will attract tourists to come here as several Koreans have signified their intentions to open flights from their country to the San Fernando Airport."

He said there was possibility of connecting flights between Hong Kong and San Fernando.

He noted there were many overseas contract workers in Hongkong who are from Region I.
“This will provide convenience and the shorter time of travel for the OFWs, he said. "In just one hour, they are in La Union," the mayor said, referring to the time of plane travel between Hong Kong and San Fernando.

Meanwhile, PPMC president and chief executive officer Felix Racadio lauded the resumption of PAL flights here.

PAL will be using its Q300 and Q400 planes that can accommodate 56 and 74 passengers, respectively.

Racadio said that airport in La Union will enhance economic activities in La Union, particularly in the Poro Point freeport zone.

He said that PAL’s decision to include San Fernando in its expansion program is a big boost to the efforts of transforming the freeport zone into a world-class tourism and commercial hub.

Businessmen in La Union and neighboring provinces have long been anticipating PAL’s expansion program because it would cut time of travel to and from Manila.
Ortega said that airline companies can also operate connecting flights to the San Fernando airport.