LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – Get your travel bags and essentials ready as the flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) adds a Cebu-Laoag route beginning December 15.

In an online announcement, this brand-new domestic route will operate twice weekly and will have convenient morning departures.

Flight PR 2251 will depart from Cebu to Laoag every Tuesday and Friday at 7:35 a.m., arriving at 10:05 a.m.

Meanwhile, PR 2252 will leave Laoag on the same days at 10:25 a.m., arriving at 12:35 a.m.

In May 2023, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte has partnered with the airlines for a promotional flight, carrying influencers and PAL’s executives to attend the “Himala sa Buhangin Arts and Music Festival” as part of the province’s fiesta.

This has allowed passengers a firsthand glimpse of the Cebu-Laoag route.

In time for the holiday season, the provincial government anticipates more business and leisure travelers to the province, given the availability of direct flights at the Laoag International Airport.

“We are connecting Ilocos Norte to the southern portion of the Philippines. There are many Ilokanos in Mindanao. Hopefully, the launching of this flight route will allow us to connect them via Davao, thus giving them easier way of coming home,” said A-Xavier Ruiz, officer-in-charge of the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office (INTO).

Ruiz said ticket sales will commence today, Oct. 12. For bookings, they may visit www.philippineairlines.com, PAL mobile app, or preferred travel agents. (JCR/MJTAB PIA Ilocos Norte)