AVIATION - Mosphil Aero Takes Off With Zamboanga-Sandakan Flight

Bernama, Nov 17 2006

Following its test flight in late August, Mosphil Aero Incorporated finally took off with its first commercial flight from Zamboanga to Sandakan, Sabah, and back on Nov 12.

The flight, which was launched to encourage more domestic and international air links, as well as trade and tourism in the East Asean Growth Area (EAGA), seeks to support the high passenger traffic from Zamboanga to Sandakan.

The Zamboanga-Sandakan flight draws on the two cities' trade ties, which dates back to the 18th century.

Mosphil's 90-minute flight offers an alternative to the 14-hour travel sustained by the SRN Fast Seacraft and Alesson Shipping Lines.

"This is also a cheaper (flight) option to the Kota Kinabalu-Clark (Pampanga)-Manila-Zamboanga route that I had to take before," said Eddy Lim, a Malaysian businessman from Kota Kinabalu who took the airline's first commercial flight from Zamboanga to Sandakan.

"With my old route, I had to spend for my hotel fare in Manila. It's now easier to go to Zamboanga. It saves me time," said Lim, who has been going to Zamboanga for 12 years now.

Lim buys and sells golf clubs, spare parts and grocery items.

Glenn Lamela, Mosphil's sales and marketing director, said besides offering a more convenient trip for passengers to and from Zamboanga and Sandakan, the airline's 48-seater Russian-made Antonov 24 aircraft also offers cargo services for at least five tonnes of cargo.

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