By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Earlier this month, after One Patriotic Coalition of Marginalized Nationals partylist Rep. Michael Romero, who concurrently serves as vice chairman for AirAsia Philippines, confirmed the carrier would soon fly a Manila-Bacolod-Manila route, the airline has since confirmed flights will begin between October and November of this year.
In a recent radio interview, Romero said a lot of travelers will benefit from their entry by offering cheaper fares compared to competitors.
He previously noted, as a third player in Negros Occidental, they would be able to provide 20 percent cheaper airfare.
Earlier this year, CAAP director-general, Captain Jim Sydiongco, pointed out Bacolod-Silay Airport is currently operating at overcapacity.
When opened to commercial operations in 2008, the airport was designed to accommodate between 800,000 to one million passengers a year. However, the number of passengers passing through the terminal has since increased to 1.7 million and growing.
At the time, then-Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. also chimed in, noting, “It is possible passenger traffic will grow to around two million by next year.”/DGB, WDJ