Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco is urging United Airlines to add more routes to the Philippines other than Manila.
While appreciating the first US carrier nonstop service to the country’s capital, Frasco suggested exploring Cebu, Clark and Davao as potential flight routes for United Airlines.
The tourism chief made the pitch for the route expansion during a recent meeting with United Airlines President Janet Lamkin and Vice President for International Regulatory and Policy Government Affairs Steve Morrissey and other airline officials.
“I took the opportunity to invite them to also explore expanding to our other gateways such as Cebu, Clark, and Davao, especially that direct access to our islands would greatly improve the tourist experience and unlock economic opportunities nationwide,” Frasco said.
United Airlines recently became the first US carrier to fly direct to Manila from continental US. The airline flies the San Francisco-Manila route daily on its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, the largest in its fleet.
Frasco welcomed United Airlines’ flight expansion to Manila, saying this was a “great vote of confidence” in the country. The Manila flight is said to be the most requested route ever done by United Airlines.
“We are delighted to receive the expression of gratitude from United Airlines for the successful mounting of the very first direct flight between San Francisco-Manila by a US airline. Our President Ferdinand @bongbongmarcos Jr.’s push for connectivity in his talks with US President Joe Biden has opened up this most vital direct link that will boost tourism, trade, and our economy,” Frasco said.
“This is a great vote of confidence in the Philippines, and reflects global interest in the fastest-growing economy in Asia. We are very thankful for the opportunity to expand our economy by way of this much-needed boost to connectivity.❤️🇵🇭,” she said.
