(SPOT.ph) Quezon City to Quezon City in two hours? It's no joke for North folks. And while traffic south of the Metro isn't something to be laughed at either, at least the airport terminals are a little (and we mean very little) easier for them to get to. But it looks like there will soon be more choices for flying out: the Subic Bay International Airport is set to become a major aviation hub—with plans for a budget airline to transfer their base, as well as upgraded capabilities for international flights—by mid-2020.
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has spent around P533 million to equip and upgrade the airport—which has always been more known as a hub for flying schools and military exercises—according to a report by Inquirer.net.
For the 2.0 version, the agency aims to turn the airport into a major hub for budget airlines with a focus first on domestic routes. "We may focus on chartered or domestic flights, until we build credibility and capacity," said Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Wilma T. Eisma in the report.
"Mahirap pag makipag-compete doon sa major airlines sa Clark so parang gusto kong [maging] niche for budget airlines," explained Eisma in a report by Business World, referring to the nearby Clark International Airport. Eisma also confirmed that one major budget airline is looking into transferring its base to Subic Airport, hopefully giving the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport a bit of breathing space.
The SBMA expects revitalized commercial operations to begin by mid-2020 while the airport finishes up its upgrading of navigational equipment by the end of 2019. In the meantime, we'll stay on the lookout for new flight routes from this hub!
Main image from Subic Bay International Airport Facebook page
this strange new world.
