The aircraft landed at Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA) at 6:25 a.m. with 150 passengers on board and was welcomed with a water cannon salute to mark the milestone.
Operating flights PR1771 and PR1772, the aircraft departed for Manila with 190 passengers, bringing the total number of travelers served during its first round-trip flight to 340.
The Airbus A330 offers significantly more seating capacity than the narrow-body aircraft typically deployed on the Manila-Bohol route, allowing PAL to accommodate more passengers per flight.
Growing capacity
PAL became the second major Philippine airline to operate wide-body aircraft at BPIA, reflecting the airport's growing capacity to accommodate larger planes and support increased passenger traffic.
“Having both of the country’s major airlines fly wide-body aircraft into Bohol shows how far BPIA has come,” said Aboitiz InfraCapital Bohol Airport Corp. (ABAC) general manager Aldwin Uy.
“Every additional seat into Bohol is an opportunity for our communities, from hotels and tour operators to the farmers, artisans and small enterprises that make the Bohol experience what it is,” he added.
ABAC, the private operator of BPIA, said the deployment was made possible by upgrades to the airport's firefighting and rescue capabilities, undertaken in coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
The improvements have enabled the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, giving airlines greater flexibility to increase passenger capacity, particularly during periods of strong travel demand.
The additional capacity comes as Bohol prepares for the year-end travel season and steps up preparations for its Visit Bohol 2027 tourism campaign.
Tourism expansion
The campaign seeks to strengthen Bohol's position as a major tourism destination and attract more domestic and international visitors.
Public and private sector stakeholders discussed and coordinated their tourism marketing initiatives during the Bohol Tourism Marketing Workshop held earlier this month.
Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado welcomed PAL's deployment of the larger aircraft, describing it as a sign of the airline industry's confidence in the province's tourism potential.
Bohol, home to the Philippines' first UNESCO Global Geopark, is among the country's major tourism destinations, known for its natural attractions, beaches and heritage sites.
With two major carriers now operating wide-body aircraft at BPIA, the airport is better positioned to accommodate increased passenger demand and support tourism-related businesses.
Airport development
BPIA, which began operations in November 2018, serves as the main gateway to Bohol, replacing the former Tagbilaran Airport.
Located on Panglao Island, the airport is recognized as the Philippines' first eco-airport, incorporating energy-efficient features such as natural lighting and ventilation.
Operated by ABAC, BPIA connects Bohol to major domestic destinations, including Manila, Clark, Davao and Cebu, as well as international destinations such as South Korea. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
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