DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 09 July) — Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCI) trustee Arturo Milan has asked airline companies to make the Davao International Airport, also known as the F. Bangoy International Aiport, the hub for international flights in Mindanao to decongest traffic at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Milan told a press briefing Friday that NAIA must be devolved of some international flights and distribute these to provincial airports like Cebu and Davao because the congestion in the airport in Manila results in flight delays, causing discomfort to passengers.
He said it is not practical to place all international flights in NAIA when some destinations are closer to Davao City than Manila, like Australia, Palau, and other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
SilkAir flies directly to Singapore from Davao City.
“That’s overdue. Look at the traffic in Metro Manila. Flights are delayed because you cannot just put them in one airport, all (passengers) keep coming. It will certainly affect the flight schedules,” he said.
Milan believes there is a market for Davao-Australia route because many tourists would want to visit a tropical country like the Philippines during winter season.
He said Australia is located just below the Philippines on the global map.
“There should be a flight emanating from Australia that will go to Davao because you are making a route that is attractive to foreigners.