Philippine charter operator Platinum Skies (Manila Ninoy Aquino International) is offering flights between Zamboanga and Jolo in the province of Sulu. The service, which commenced May 1, is the first flight to the conflict-ridden region since Philippine Airlines (PR, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) stopped serving the area in March 2015.

The 6x weekly flights are run on behalf of Islands Airlink on board Do328-100 RP-C9258 (msn 3036).

Sulu is considered by authorities as quite dangerous, with the US Department of State, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) all advising against travel to the archipelago, owing to the presence of Jihadist militant group Abu Sayyaf. In mid-2016, two Canadians – Robert Hall and John Ridsdel – were beheaded by insurgents. A Norwegian who had been kidnapped at the same time, Kjartan Sekkingstad, was released later that year.

ABS CBN News reports that security at Jolo airport has been improved, and the carrier's Facebook page says that "Safety and security is our priority!" Local groups hope that the air connection will help the island's economy, which is largely dependent on agriculture and fishing.