Bacolod asks PAL for more flights for MassKara Festival

Despite its "transition" pains, Philippine Airlines must schedule more flights to Bacolod City for this month’s MassKara Festival, a local government official told the flag carrier. Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia wrote PAL president Jaime Bautista that many tourists are expected to visit the city, based on hotel bookings. “Our city and our tourism sector have prepared extensively to make this year’s MassKara Festival a success. Without the visitors and tourists, our careful preparations may not bear much fruit," Leonardia said in an Oct. 5 letter, excerpts of which were published in the Bacolod-based Visayan Daily Star Thursday. Leonardia said Bacolod expects PAL to "divert" some flights and concentrate on to support its tourism industry. “This is the first MassKara where we are seeing a major airline problem and we are concerned vis-à-vis the fact that the intensity of hotel reservations had already peaked months ago," he added. The 19-day MassKara Festival started on Saturday, Oct. 1. Bacolod is aware of PAL's transition woes, but it wants the carrier to take a "special look" at the situation in this central Philippine city, the mayor said. “What we can assure our tourists and the rest of the world is that whatever may happen, the show will go on," he added. PAL is still juggling its flight schedules after spinning off three non-core businesses starting Oct. 1. — VS, GMA News