Davao city: The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) announced on Monday that reviving the direct air route between Davao City and Manado is expected to reduce travel time from 19 hours to just over an hour.
According to Philippines News Agency, previous attempts to sustain direct flights between the two cities were hindered by inconsistent passenger demand, low cargo volume, and underdeveloped tourism links-issues that were further exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. MinDA Deputy Executive Director Romeo Montenegro said a recent outbound mission with the Department of Tourism (DOT) 11 and TransNusa yielded positive results, with the carrier expressing interest in reopening the path.
Currently, travelers must endure a grueling 19-hour indirect journey involving multiple connecting flights and, occasionally, sea travel. A direct link would create a seamless connection between Mindanao and North Sulawesi. Montenegro emphasized a "demand-first" strategy, where government agencies and local stakeholders focus on building tourism circuits, trade flows, and local government unit (LGU) partnerships before fully restoring services.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has identified improved regional connectivity as a key priority, positioning Mindanao as a strategic gateway to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) markets. Strengthening air links like the Davao-Manado route is seen by the administration as essential for boosting trade and investment between the Philippines and Indonesia.
TransNusa is an airline headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia. It was launched in August 2005.
