Say goodbye to long journeys. You can now fly from Cebu to Bantayan Island in half an hour!
(Photo courtesy of Sugbo News and the Department of Tourism)
Going to Bantayan Island consists of a six-hour land and sea trip from the North Bus Terminal in Cebu City to the port of Santa Fe. Long journeys can be exhausting, especially if it’s the only way to get to your destination.
Not anymore.
You can now book a commercial flight from Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) directly to Bantayan Island, which will cut travel time from a few hours down to 30 minutes.
Commercial flights are part of the Cebu provincial government’s vision to turn the island into a world-class attraction. These flights offer a more convenient method of reaching the renowned tourist spot at an affordable price.
Bantayan is one of the best islands in Cebu filled with serene white sand beaches along with its many hotels and resorts. The island is also a primary source of seafood, with locals serving authentic seafood dishes made from the freshest catches.
It’s one location many dream of visiting, so here’s how to get to Bantayan Island through commercial airlines.
FLIGHTS TO BANTAYAN ISLAND
Direct flights from Cebu airport to Bantayan Island are managed by King Aces Travel and Tours, a Taguig-based travel agency. They offer a Php 888 promo from August 28th to October 27th, 2024.
Governor Gwendolyn Garcia mentioned through Sugbo News – the Capitol’s official media entity – that budget-friendly pricing allows Bantayan to be accessible for all types of travelers.
For bookings, reservations, and inquiries, visit the King Aces Travel and Tours Facebook Page.
The Philippine News Agency (2024) confirmed that regular commercial flights are scheduled on Fridays and Sundays for guests to spend the weekend on the island.
According to a news article from CDN Digital (2024), the agency will be using Regional Transport Airplanes or ATRs (Avions de Transport Régional), which have carrying capacities of up to 70 passengers.
These are the same aircraft used for short haul flights from Cebu to other neighboring islands like Siargao and Camiguin.
Bantayan airport reopened in April 2023 after stopping operations during the pandemic. At the time, it only accepted chartered flights, and it was not considered commercial because of its lack of infrastructure.
The provincial government, in collaboration with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Mactan-Cebu Aviation Authority (MCIAA), soon added features to accommodate commercial airlines like the ATRs.
The airport’s runway was expanded from 1.2 kilometers to 1.5 kilometers in order to handle bigger commercial planes from aviation companies like Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, which the government hopes will provide flights to the island in the near future.
An article from Sunstar Cebu (2023) noted plans to build a fire terminal and fuel depot inside the airport. Management also expanded terminal capacity from around 40 to 100 passengers.
On August 28th, the Bantayan airport welcomed its inaugural commercial flight, an ATR aircraft dubbed the “Leading Edge,” owned by King Aces. This 72-seater two-engine plane brought government officials and guests so they can experience what the flight would be like.
The aircraft left Lapu-Lapu City at around 8:08 AM and successfully landed in Santa Fa after 28 minutes, at around 8:36 AM.
Aside from the airport, the government is also funding improvements for the Santa Fe Port to attract cruise ships to the island.
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Accessibility is extremely beneficial to any tourist location. Having one short trip to your destination will always be more rewarding than being stuck inside a vehicle for several hours, only to be exhausted by the end of it.
These commercial flights bring you to Bantayan Island in the shortest amount of time possible. This is the most convenient and cost-efficient way to experience one of Cebu’s biggest tourist attractions.
The King Aces promo runs for two months, so take the opportunity and book your tickets now!
REFERENCES:
Saavedra, John Rey. 2024. “Flight from Mactan to Bantayan Island to bolster tourist arrival.” Philippine News Agency.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1232147.
Erram, Morexette Marie. 2024. “Regular flights to Bantayan Island, Cebu to launch this August.” CDN Digital.
https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/582150/regular-flights-to-bantayan-to-launch-this-august.
Veloso, Arvie N. 2023. “Capitol to hasten Bantayan Airport runway expansion.” Sunstar Cebu.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/capitol-to-hasten-bantayan-airport-runaway-expansion.
