In a move that is expected to help decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Cebu Pacific is launching new domestic routes from the Clark International Airport in Pampanga. At the same time, the Philippines’ leading carrier is ironing out the final details of its new route between Cebu and mainland China. The plans, seen benefitting tourists and investors alike, were revealed by Michael Ivan Shau, Chief Operations Officer of the airline, during the Routes Asia conference in Cebu.
Speaking at the conference, billed as the only route development event dedicated to the Asia Pacific, Shau announced that Cebu Pacific will launch three new domestic routes from Clark International Airport. Daily flights between Clark and Iloilo and between Clark and Bacolod commence on August 9, 2019, while daily flights between Clark and Puerto Princesa in Palawan begin on October 9, 2019.
An island in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
“There’s still a lot of opportunity for expansion within the Philippines—inter-island connections from key cities like Clark and Cebu. We believe that there is a significant untapped market in northern provinces in the Philippines. Creating direct links between domestic destinations and our other hubs will spur tourism and movement of goods and investments, whilst doing away with having to pass through the main hub in Manila,” said Shau.
In the last six months, Cebu Pacific has increased by 75 percent the frequency of its flights from Clark, its hub for North and Central Luzon for the past decade. From Clark, CEB now offers direct connections to Cebu, Caticlan (Boracay), Tagbilaran, Davao, Singapore, Macau, and Hong Kong.
For its hub in the south, Cebu Pacific intends to increase capacity by as much as 20 percent in 2019. Along with its planned direct link from Cebu to mainland China, Cebu Pacific is developing routes for Korea and Japan.
In Iloilo, Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral is one of the five churches everyone must visit.
“The Philippines is the closest tropical destination from North Asia. Cebu and the 166 islands within the province alone boast of some of the best tropical getaways in the world. It’s a logical choice to be our ‘beach hub’ with easier access to world-class beaches, dive spots and resorts,” remarked Shau.
From Cebu, CEB mounts direct flights to Bacolod, Caticlan, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Calbayog, Camiguin, Clark, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Legazpi, Ozamis, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, Siargao, Surigao, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Hong Kong, Macau, Tokyo (Narita), Singapore and Incheon.
The Don Mariano Lacson Mansion, popularly known as The Ruins, is just a 10-minute drive away from Bacolod City.
Aside from its Clark and Cebu hubs, Cebu Pacific operates flights out of five other strategically placed hubs in the Philippines: Manila, Kalibo, Iloilo, Davao and Cagayan de Oro (Laguindingan). The carrier has maintained leadership in the domestic market with 37 destinations and over 2,130 weekly flights. Coupled with 26 international destinations, the entire Cebu Pacific network covers over 108 routes spanning Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and USA.
For bookings and inquiries, guests can visit www.cebupacificair.com or call the reservation hotlines (+632)7020-888 (Manila) or (+6322)230-8888 (Cebu). The latest seat sales can be found on CEB’s official Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) and Facebook pages.
