GOING BACK TO NORMAL. Officials of the Davao International Airport on Monday (June 27, 2022) announce that the facility is now serving over 30 flights daily after the hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With the development, the Davao Region tourism sector has expressed confidence that an industry revival is in the offing. (Photo courtesy of Davao CIO)
DAVAO CITY – The Davao International Airport (DIA) is slowly returning to normal operations with the activation of 31 flights, even amid the disruptions brought by the pandemic.
Data from the Department of Tourism in Davao Region (DOT-11) indicated that the airport currently caters to 29 domestic flights and two international flights daily.
“(Currently), the DIA serves domestic flights bound for Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Tagbilaran, and Zamboanga,” DIA manager Rex Obcena said in an interview.
Data showed there are 16 domestic flights operated by Cebu Pacific, 11 by Philippine Airlines, two by Air Asia, and one international flight each for Scoot Tiger Air and Singapore Airlines.
DOT-11 Director Tanya Rabat-Tan said the gradual return of the DIA to its normal operations signals the revival of the region’s tourism industry.
“We can expect that the tourism sector will be revived as the country heals from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Though, there is no guarantee because we can never predict whether there will be a surge,” Rabat-Tan said.
Meanwhile, the DOT-11 is putting sea diving in the spotlight as a tourist activity in the Davao Region.
“The pandemic has caused our marine biodiversity to recuperate and flourish even more. Now, we are opening various diving sites in the region for beginners and enthusiasts,” she said. (PNA)
