Clark Freeport, Pampanga – With the start of regular flights last Wednesday of Jin Air airlines of South Korea at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA), Governor Lilia Pineda and Second District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are now preparing for more tourists’ visits in Pampanga.
The two lady officials enjoined the provincial tourism officers and municipal mayors in Pampanga to start planning on how to enhance the tourism industry in Pampanga.
In a meeting with Jin Air management, Gov. Pineda and Rep. Arroyo welcomed South Korea’s budget carrier Jin Air on their first flight at the Diosdado Macapagacal International Airport (DMIA).
The meeting was also attended by Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) President and CEO Victor Jose Luciano, CIAC chair Nestor Mangio and some Korean Journalists.
During the meeting, the governor and CGMA instructed the provincial tourism officers and mayors led by Pampanga Mayor’s League President and Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo to work together and improve the tourism in the province.
Gov. Pineda also said that she has plans of building a Pampanga Museum at the provincial capitol in City Of San Fernando.
The governor and the former President are hopeful that the operation of Jin Air in DMIA will not just bring many Korean tourists in Pampanga but also start the development of tourists spots in various areas of the province.
Luciano announced that the entry of the newest airline at the DMIA signals Jin Air’s full operations at the 2,367 hectares Clark Aviation Complex inside the Clark Freefort Zone in Pampanga. Jin Air starts its regular flights, plying the Incheon-Clark-Incheon route five times a weekl utilizing the airlines’ 180-searter Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
“We welcome Jin Air’s regular flights at DMIA that would not only bring in more Korean tourists to Clark but also give the people of Northern Luzon the opportunity to visit the beautiful country of Korea,” Luciano said.
Jin Air is the sixth and latest addition to the international airlines operating at the DMIA and is the second South Korean commercial airline after Asiana Airlines that started operations in October 2003.
The CIAC president also led a simple welcome ceremony for the Jin Air inaugural flight at DMIA and hosted a cocktail for airlines and tourism industry at the Mahogany Room of the Holiday Inn Clark in Mimosa Leisure Estate.
Luciano stated that since 2004, Korean tourists have immensely contributed to the local economy of Angeles City and the communities in the Metro Clark Area as well as the rest of Luzon. There are estimated 20, 000 Korean tourists in the Clark and Subic areas.
“The Korean tourists have contributed to the growth and development of Clark which in effect generated businesses and employment for the people in the area, “he further added.
Jin Air is a full subsidiary of Korean Air that began operations in July 2008 with routes to regional destinations in Korea. In October 2009, they began flights to Guam, Osaka and Bangkok.
The said airline has five Boeing 737-800 aircraft in its fleet for their operations in South East Asian region including Japan.
“Travellers can go to other destinations in the world when you take Jin Air,” Luciano pointed out. Upon arrival in Incheon, Jin Air passengers can go to other destinations in the world.
Jin Air was the latest addition to the host of foreign and local carriers operating international and domestics flights at the DMIA that includes Asiana Airlines, Tiger Airways, Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, The Spirit of Manila Airlines and South East Asian Airlines (Seair).
