The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Friday announced the arrival of Jeju Air flight 7C4407 at the Bohol-Panglao Airport (BPA), marking the first international flight to land at the BPA since the COVID-19 pandemic.
CAAP and other airport officials were on hand to welcome the 167 passengers who flew in from Incheon, South Korea.
The Jeju plane was set to leave at 12:15 p.m. of the same day, with only 16 passengers on board.
Jeju Air first landed at the BPA on Nov. 21, 2019 before the pandemic.
At present, BPA also accommodates flights from such airlines as the Philippine Airlines, Air Asia, and Cebu Pacific Air.
“With renewed optimism amid persisting challenges, BPA hopes that reopening the Philippines’ borders after the COVID-19 crisis will be a turning point in the aviation industry and for the country’s economy,” said CAAP Area VII manager Rafael Tatlonghari.
BPA replaced the Tagbilaran Airport following its opening on Nov. 27, 2018 to support Bohol’s increased passenger traffic due to its growing socio-economic and tourism industries.
The facility is also dubbed as the first eco-airport in the Philippines.