Leaving Via Zest Air

Boarding the Zest Air Flight to Puerto Princesa City

Boarding the Zest Air Flight to Puerto Princesa City

It has been ages since I have last seen the old domestic airport in Manila. I can’t remember if I have even been inside but what I finally did, I was pleasantly surprised at how bright it was. It wasn’t the ultramodern terminal I wish it could be. It is a basic functional terminal and probably perfect for the amount of traffic which goes through its doors. The old domestic terminal is also named the NAIA Terminal 4, funny since this is probably the oldest terminal here. Anyway, I was at the waiting area in the terminal, it wasn’t exactly super spacious but it serves its purpose. This is no Changi Airport but it still has a few stalls where you can buy stuff, primarily food. It was a little early in the day, and I was hungry, I bought myself some buns, not too bad.

Waiting at the Departure Lounge of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 4

Waiting at the Departure Lounge of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 4

I noticed that there were a significant amount of foreigners in this terminal. From what I can tell at least some of them where from mainland China. The Philippines, despite its ongoing dispute with her large neighbor, welcomes a lot of visitors from China. It seems the secret is out now. At least they are not the tour groups which I see in China itself. I was taking Zest Air on my way to Puerto Princesa. This would be my first time to ride with them and I am aware of their reputation. There was a time when they were still called Asian Spirit and riding with them was like a roll of a die, pun intended.

Those days are long gone, much money has been poured into Asian Spirit and it is now known as Zest Air, courtesy of the owners of Zest-O the juice maker. The planes were brand new and they were similar to the ones Cebu Pacific uses, so I wasn’t really worried. A friend of mine was telling horror stories about his ride with Zest Air but I had no such problems. I will wholeheartedly patronize them the next time I get a chance.

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