Despite Metro Manila reverting to a stricter community quarantine, low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) is optimistic to gradually rebuild its international operations starting this month, given the increased demand for non-leisure flights.
CEB said it will increase flights to key Asian destinations including Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong.
“We remain cautiously optimistic as we gradually rebuild our international network,” said Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and customer experience.
“We recognize the need for non-leisure travel to these routes and we assure everyJuan that we are committed to keep prioritizing safety as we restore trust and confidence in air travel,” Iyog added.
Starting last August 4, CEB increased flight frequencies to Singapore from twice to thrice weekly, with Manila to Singapore operating every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Singapore to Manila will be every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
In addition, special commercial flights from Dubai to Manila are mounted every Wednesday, in response to the government’s call for assistance to repatriate workers in the Middle East while the travel ban remains in effect.
Flights between Manila and Seoul, South Korea have gone up from twice to thrice weekly, with additional frequency starting on August 16.
Starting August 22, CEB will be flying from twice to thrice weekly from Tokyo (Narita) to Manila, with additional frequency every Sunday.
Daily flights to Hong Kong from Manila will resume on August 11.
Other reinstated routes include flights to Nagoya, Osaka (Kansai) and Taipei, starting the week of August 14, with twice weekly flights for Nagoya and Osaka (Kansai); and weekly flights for Taipei to and from Manila.
CEB operates the widest domestic network in the Philippines covering 31 destinations, on top of its eight international destinations. Its 74-strong fleet, one of the youngest in the world, includes two dedicated ATR freighters and one A330 freighter. – Myla Iglesias
