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A pioneering airline based in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is set to begin operations on April 24
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Bangsamoro Airways, operated by Federal Airways Inc., aims to connect mainland BARMM to its island provinces to boost services, enhance bureaucracy and logistics
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It will initially service Zamboanga City and Sulu Province, accommodating six and ten passengers, respectively, including crew members
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The airline plans to expand its services to include the municipalities of Sibutu and Mapun in Tawi-Tawi after three months of operation and introduce flights to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, within one year from its initial launch
A pioneering airline based in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is set to begin operations across the region on April 24, the autonomous region said in a statement.
Bangsamoro Airways, operated by Federal Airways Incorporated, aims to bridge mainland BARMM with its island provinces, facilitating essential services, enhancing administrative and logistical infrastructure, and stimulating the region’s economy, tourism, and employment prospects.
The airline will initially service Zamboanga City and Sulu Province, accommodating six and ten passengers, respectively, including crew members, according to an interview with Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBOI) chairperson Mohammad Pasigan.
Following three months of operation, the airline plans to extend its routes to include the municipalities of Sibutu and Mapun in Tawi-Tawi, with future plans to expand services to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, within a year.
Additionally, Bangsamoro Airways has collaborated with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Bangsamoro Airport Authority in Cotabato City to ensure compliance with all necessary regulations and is fully prepared to commence operations.
Pasigan emphasized that Bangsamoro Airways stands ready to serve nearby BARMM provinces as needed.
According to the latest report from BBOI, BARMM has already attracted P3.7 billion in investments, surpassing the office’s 2024 target of P2.6 billion. These investments, primarily focused on Islamic banking, tourism, agriculture, marine, and industrial sectors, have created 1,155 job opportunities across the region.
BBOI is actively inviting investors to BARMM to contribute to regional and national economic development, leveraging incentives provided under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act, which reduces corporate income tax rates.
The establishment of Bangsamoro Airways and investment in transportation and communications align with the economic development agenda set by Bangsamoro chief minister Ahod Ebrahim, focusing on leveraging the region’s comparative advantages to drive growth.
