(SPOT.ph) Things are looking up for domestic travel this 2022 as airlines beef up their flight schedules to ferry more people around the different destinations in the Philippines. For AirAsia, it's the perfect opportunity to tick another box on their list of domestic routes as they fly for the first time from Manila to Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental on the morning of April 8. The maiden flight, Z2641, left the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 4 at exactly 7 a.m. and arrived at the Domestic-Sibulan Airport at 8:25 a.m. AirAsia is scheduled to fly to and from Dumaguete City four times a week: every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday—all at 7 a.m. The return flights to Manila are on the same days at 9:05 a.m.
Also read: The SPOT.ph Guide to Dumaguete City
"We are happy to have successfully launched our maiden flight in Dumaguete. With AirAsia now being present in the Dumaguete air space, we hope to drive tourists into the city and the entire Negros Oriental province, positioning the City of Gentle People as the gateway to this region. We are confident that this expansion will also help in stimulating commerce and growth in other sectors, such as ICT and trade," said AirAsia CEO Ricky Isla in a statement.
Department of Tourism undersecretary Woodrow Maquiling Jr. added, "Needless to say, the lifeblood of Philippine tourism is access and connectivity. As an archipelago where tourists and travelers can only reach us by air and by sea, expansion initiatives like this are critical as we pursue a 'safe, fun, and competitive tourism destination' for the Philippines, and deliver on a promise of a complete travel experience that is richer, deeper, more authentic, more competitive, and ultimately, more Filipino."
Dumaguete City is known for its heritage sites, such as the Campanario de Dumaguete and St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral. It is also a jumpoff point to the many eco-tourism areas in the province, including the diving sites in Dauin, the famous Manjuyod Sandbar in Dauis, and Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park in Sibulan.
Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines fly daily from Manila to Dumaguete.
For more information, visit AirAsia's website.