Philippine Ambassador to Papua New Guinea introduces ETA Air in Calbayog, first flight kicks off March 5

By GINA DEAN-RAGUDO, Samar News.com
February 29, 2012

CALBAYOG CITY – A 29 seater aircraft is set to serve the city to the other parts of Visayas region realizing the dream and interest of common travelers.

In a short press conference held recently at Ciriaco Hotel and Resort, Philippine Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Bienvenido V. Tejano said that the island of Samar should be given a chance to equate with other provinces in the Philippines.  He revealed that the province is undeniably one of the most underprivileged areas in the country compared to others. In order to change the impression, the transport sector should be improved and new investment should be introduced, he said.

He took the challenge by encouraging local businessmen to put up investments in air transport that would cater domestic flights in the region and making Cebu as the commercial hub instead of Manila.

“We are not here really to make money because it is very elusive at this point in time. This is just the beginning of the project and I know we’re going to handle a lot more challenges,” said Tejano.

Aware of the “big time” airline competitors, he’s assured that ETA Airways would survive by bringing and promoting the region’s own resources to domestic and foreign tourists.

Recognizing the progress of Calbayog, Eagle Trans Asia Airways (ETA), Corporation has set up an office here servicing flights for Calbayog to Cebu and Tacloban City with an approximate time of 25 and 15 minutes, respectively. Its first flight will kick off on March 5.

Target market will be the government agencies, corporations, cargo consolidators, freight forwarders, travel agencies, wholesale tour operators, students studying in Cebu or those who will be attending conferences and seminars.

Furthermore, Ambassador Tejano announced that he is pushing for the establishment of a flying school either in Catarman, Northern Samar or in Calbayog City.