DAVAO CITY (PIA)  -- Starting June 9, Philippine Airlines will be flying twice weekly between Cotabato City and Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

Keyani Romano, area head of Mindanao Sales and Services, Philippine Airlines said the flights, the first in BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) is in collaboration with the BARMM government and the tourism sector.

“We are supporting BARMM, they have asked Philippine Airlines if they can set up a flight between Cotabato (City) because Cotabato City is the seat of government of BARMM to connect it with the islands especially Tawi-Tawi,” Romano said during her guesting at Mindanao Development Authority’s Habi at Kape media forum at Abreeza Mall.

PAL will be using Airbus A320 aircraft, the travel gateways will be Awang Airport in Maguindanao and Sanga-Sanga Airport in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. It will be twice weekly with morning departures every Monday and Thursday. It will have Premium Economy and Economy seats.

The new air connection will be economical to BARMM passengers as they will no longer go Manila for a connecting flight to Tawi-Tawi and vice-versa.

“It will be easier for them to travel to the mainland and to the islands,” Romano said.

She hopes the new flights will bolster trade and unlock the tourism potentials in BARMM areas particularly in Tawi-Tawi. (PIA/RG Alama)