MANILA — Philippine Airlines has launched its newest flights from Cebu to Catarman.

On March 4, flight PR 2653 left Cebu at 9:50 a.m., and arrived at Catarman at 10:50 a.m.

PR 2654 then left Catarman at 11:16 a.m. and arrived in Cebu at 12:08 p.m. 

The flights will fly every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday henceforth on an 86-seater De Havilland Dash 8-400 Next Generation aircraft.

PAL Express President Rabbi Vincent Ang said the new flight will help boost tourism, business, and local economic growth.

“Travelers from Northern Samar may now use PAL’s Cebu gateway to connect conveniently to Boracay, Coron, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa and Siargao," he said.

Department of Tourism 7 Regional Director Judy Gabato also said this will increase domestic tourism, as this improves Cebu's connection with another province.

The thrice weekly Cebu-Catarman-Cebu service is the 22nd route operated by PAL from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

The flag carrier is also set to launch direct flights from Cebu to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam in May.

Cebu Pacific offers 'Piso' sale for new Cebu-Ho Chi Minh flights

Aside from flights from Cebu, PAL is also increasing its flights from Clark and from Manila to Beijing.