Platinum Skies started flights from Zamboanga City to Jolo, Sulu on Monday, reopening air traffic to the conflict-wracked island.

Private jet provider Platinum Skies is only the second to fly the Zamboanga to Jolo route. Philippine Airlines stopped operations there last year.

Security was tightened in Jolo Airport to meet the needs of the airline, said Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines area manager Mohammad Rascal.

The extremist group Abu Sayyaf is reportedly hiding in the mountains of Sulu, a remote island on the country's southwestern tip.

Air traffic is expected to boost the local economy on the island.