Cebu Pacific Air Launches Cebu-Narita Flights

The Philippines' leading low cost airline, Cebu Pacific Air sent off its maiden flight from Cebu to Narita today.

It is a four times weekly service to the capital city of Japan, utilizing the airline's brand-new Airbus A320 fleet.

The Cebu-Narita service is operated every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, departing Cebu at 5:55am and arriving in Tokyo at 11:20am. The return flight departs Narita at 12:05pm and arrives in Cebu at 4:25pm.

This is the airline's 4th route between Japan and the Philippines. Cebu Pacific Air started flying to Osaka in 2008. It launched direct flights from Manila to Narita and Nagoya last year. A month after it launched direct flights, the Japan National Tourism Organization indicated that the Philippines was one of its fastest growing sources of foreign visitor arrivals.

CEB's Cebu-Narita service is aimed at boosting tourist arrivals into Cebu and Tokyo, with lowest year-round fares starting at PHP7,388 with no fuel surcharges. It is the only low-cost carrier operating this route.

"We look forward to welcoming even more Japanese tourists to Cebu, which is located at the center of the Philippines. It is an island destination known for its beaches, mangoes, snorkelling, diving, food and culture," said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

"From Cebu, we also fly direct to 22 other Philippine destinations including popular island attractions such as Boracay, Palawan and Siargao. Cebu Pacific will make island hopping in the Philippines more fun and more convenient with this new route," she said.

CEB operates the most flights out of Mactan-Cebu International Airport. It also flies direct from Cebu to Hong Kong and Singapore.

"Cebu Pacific's trademark lowest fares will also enable even more Filipino tourists to explore Japan. Coupled with seat sales, this new route will make Japan more accessible to those coming from Central and Southern Philippines," Iyog added.

Cebu Pacific core net income surges 77% to P 3.3B

Cebu Pacific reported a core net income of P 3.3 billion, up 77% compared to the previous year, on the back of notable improvement in both revenues and operating expenses.

Total revenues grew 27% to P52 billion, driven by sustained demand for air travel and entry to new markets such as Japan, Middle East and Australia. CEB carried 16.9 million passengers in 2014, 17.5% more than the 14.4 million passengers flown in 2013. ​

Ancillary revenue likewise grew 29% to P8.7 billion; while cargo revenues grew 20% to P3.1 billion.

CEB posted Operating Income of P4.2 billion, 73% higher than previous year, supported by improvement in fuel prices. However, with this decline in fuel prices CEB posted fuel hedging losses of P2.3 billion. CEB's Net Income posted at P853 million, up 67% from the previous year.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to www.cebupacificair.com, or call the reservation hotlines at (02)7020-888 or (032)230-8888. The latest seat sales can also be found on CEB's official Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) and Facebook (CebuPacificAir) pages.

Aside from Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, CEB offers flights to 25 other international destinations, namely Bali, Bangkok, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Doha, Dubai, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon (Seoul), Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, Macau, Phuket, Riyadh, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Xiamen. It also operates the most extensive network in the Philippines.

CEB's 55-strong fleet is comprised of 10 Airbus A319, 31 Airbus A320, 6 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. It is one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2015 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 7 more brand-new Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft.