Aircraft of Bangsamoro Airways arrives for its formal launch on April 24, 2024, at Cotabato (Awang) Airport in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. (Marhom Ibrahim/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Airways, the newly-established airline in the Bangsamoro region, officially launched its maiden flight on April 24, to Zamboanga City and Sulu province, departing from its hub at Cotabato (Awang) Airport in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
On Wednesday, key officials and media partners witnessed the official launch of the airline, aiming to enhance connectivity, commerce, and nation-building across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Atty. Ranibai Dilangalen, Director I of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications – Bangsamoro Airport Authority (MOTC-BAA), emphasized that the unveiling of Bangsamoro Airways is a significant milestone generating excitement across various sectors in the country.
“The name itself, Bangsamoro Airways, is already a source of pride and honor for the BARMM people and the BARMM Government. That’s why we are thankful to the people behind Bangsamoro Airways for their support in improving and developing the BARMM area,” she said.
“We are optimistic that the additional airline in Bangsamoro areas that would fly to the distant communities, far-fetched municipalities would absolutely trigger the economic activity,” she added.
In a press release on April 24, it was mentioned that the airline can carry 6-10 passengers, including the aviators. However, the management anticipates expanding its capacity in the future.
“We fervently hope that the 6-seater or the 10-seater [aircraft] would evolve into 20, 40, 60, and beyond. But we have to go through the process and obtain necessary documents/permits as required by our National Government and BARMM,” Dilangalen shared.
Bangsamoro Airways is scheduled to operate its initial routes (Cotabato to Sulu; Cotabato to Zamboanga City) thrice a week or more, depending on passenger demand.
Currently, five (5) units of aircraft will be accessible for passengers, including various types such as Chieftain, Aztec Piper, and Islander.
Mid-range aircraft will take over the next flight leg, connecting community airports to major airport hubs, providing passenger transport, as well as cargo and parcel transportation. It will also include charter operations, bank treasury-cash flight, patient-transfer/medevac operations, and LGU-build, operate, transfer flight operations.
Mohammad Pasigan, Chairperson of the Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBOI), previously mentioned that the upcoming trips aim to assist government officials, deliver medical supplies, and accommodate investors facing difficulties due to lengthy travel times and routes.
Eric Yam, a Malaysian national and Strategic Marketing Manager of Bangsamoro Airways, shared fundamental aspects needed for the Bangsamoro region to prosper.
“In order for things to grow in the Bangsamoro region, you need three things: infrastructure, communications, and transportation,” he said.
“The Federal Airways—the company of ours, is not just Malaysians or Filipinos. We have participation from stakeholders from Australia, Singapore, and Malaysia. We are doing this because we want to show to the world that the Bangsamoro is ready,” he stressed.
However, Yam stated that queries about purchasing tickets cannot be answered yet.
“We are still in compliance with the requirements, which is why we are not answering questions about ticketing. We want to do it step by step. The first thing to do right is to bring the planes here,” he shared.
MOTC Minister Atty. Paisalin Tago emphasized that boosting the aviation sector in the region will enhance connectivity, making business and travel more accessible.
“We really need the support of the public, especially the business community, so that our aircraft can sustain. It’s a history in itself that we have Bangsamoro Airways,” the minister said.
Moreover, the airline also plans to include routes from Zamboanga to Mapun and Basilan, and within the first year of operations, from Cotabato to General Santos.
For further information about Bangsamoro Airways, please visit their official website at www.bangsamoroair.com or check out their Official Facebook Page. (Datu Norhamidin Mamasainged/BIO)
