 On January 31 , 2008 , the Iloilo city government announced that Cebu Pacific was considering starting international services from Iloilo , initially with a route to Hong Kong to cater to the large number of Overseas Filipinos there . Philippine Airlines later announced its intent to serve this route as well , suggesting that Iloilo tourism authorities mount thrice @-@ weekly charter flights to the city using PAL Airbus A320 aircraft . City government officials also believed that the opening of a Cathay Pacific office in Iloilo City may bode well for future service to Hong Kong . In addition to Hong Kong flights , the Center for Research and Communication of the University of Asia and the Pacific has called for flights from Iloilo City to Japan , South Korea and mainland China . The first international flight from Iloilo International Airport departed on November 8 , 2012 , to Hong Kong . 
