It’s difficult to count on our road transportation. What with the inevitable traffic and unpredictable situations on the road, it’s almost impossible to get to one destination from another without it taking much of your time.

For instance, the fastest route from Roxas Boulevard in Manila to Clark International Airport in Pampanga takes more than two hours by land. While a trip from Manila to Puerto Galera in Mindoro is almost four hours, including the ferry ride.

Seaplane operator AirTrav Corp. cuts the travel time to those destinations to 30 minutes from Manila to Clark, and 40 minutes from Manila to Puerto Galera. 

AirTrav PH has recently launched scheduled flights daily from Manila-Clark-Manila and Manila-Puerto Galera-Manila via its Cessna Grand Caravan Ex Amphibian. One way fare for Manila to Clark is P4,500, while one-way trip from Manila to Puerto Galera costs P6,000. 

AirTrav PH president Jacob Cusi says the scheduled flights aim to take advantage of the tourism boom in the Philippines. 

“The market is very good now that tourism is booming for the Philippines. It’s very high. Industry also in Clark, the commerce, it’s very good. We have a lot of tourists coming in from China, Korea, all over the world. It’s increasing every year,” said Jacob Cusi.

AirTrav PH, which has an Air Operator’s Certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and a non-scheduled domestic carrier certificate from the Civil Aeronautics Board, operates out of its own hangar located at the Manila International Airport in Pasay City, flying the Cessna Grand Caravan Ex Amphibian and the Robinson R-44 Raven II.

The Robinsons R44, made in Torrance, United States, can seat up to three passengers comfortably. It can fly up to 300 nautical miles, which means three hours without refueling.

The Cessna Grand Caravan 208, on the other hand, can accommodate eight passengers comfortably, including their luggage and personal items. It can also safely land on water.

AirTrav PH pilots undergo factory training directly at Robinson’s manufacturing facility in the US. In addition, the aircraft and pilots are insured by the country’s premier insurance firm, Pioneer Insurance, while its airframe, passengers, cargo, and crew are insured by Surety Corp.

Go to airtrav.ph for more information.