Cebu Pacific Upgrades Key Domestic Routes From Turboprop to Airbus Aircraft
The Philippines' leading carrier, Cebu Pacific Air, boosts its domestic network by increasing the capacity of its flights from Manila to areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao where strong demand is continually seen.
Starting July 4, 2017, flights from Manila to Cauayan, Legazpi and Virac, and vice versa, will be utilizing the 180-seater Airbus A320, translating to over 130% more capacity or about 102 additional seats, from its original 78-seater ATR 72-600. CEB is the only carrier with a regular, commercial air service in Cauayan, Isabela and Virac, Catanduanes.
The freed-up ATR aircraft from these three routes will then be used to service five new inter-island routes Cebgo recently announced, namely: Cebu-Masbate; Cagayan de Oro-Zamboanga; Davao-Dumaguete; Davao-Tacloban; and Cotabato-Zamboanga. The five new routes are set to commence operations late next month.
"Utilizing larger aircraft will not only help meet demand for passenger air travel and logistics to move cargo across the country, but also allow more travellers to avail our year-round lowest fares," said Atty JR Mantaring, Cebu Pacific Vice President for Corporate Affairs.
Starting July 4, 2017, flights from Manila to Cauayan, Legazpi and Virac, and vice versa, will be utilizing the 180-seater Airbus A320, translating to over 130% more capacity or about 102 additional seats, from its original 78-seater ATR 72-600. CEB is the only carrier with a regular, commercial air service in Cauayan, Isabela and Virac, Catanduanes.
The freed-up ATR aircraft from these three routes will then be used to service five new inter-island routes Cebgo recently announced, namely: Cebu-Masbate; Cagayan de Oro-Zamboanga; Davao-Dumaguete; Davao-Tacloban; and Cotabato-Zamboanga. The five new routes are set to commence operations late next month.
"Utilizing larger aircraft will not only help meet demand for passenger air travel and logistics to move cargo across the country, but also allow more travellers to avail our year-round lowest fares," said Atty JR Mantaring, Cebu Pacific Vice President for Corporate Affairs.
On top of the aircraft upgrade from ATR to Airbus jet service, CEB will also hike frequency of some flights between Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao by July 4, 2017.
From 55 flights weekly, an additional ten flights would be mounted between Manila and Iloilo; while the Manila-Bacolod route would have six more flights, bringing the total to 54 a week. The additional flights to and from Iloilo and Bacolod would bring CEB capacity over 5,700 seats.
In Mindanao, eight additional weekly flights will be available between Manila and Cagayan de Oro, bringing the current 55 trips per week to 63. That will translate to over 2,800 more seats for flights to and from Manila and Northern Mindanao.
"The capacity expansion will mean more flights and more travel options for everyJuan. We are optimistic that this will make air travel more affordable and more accessible to a greater number of travellers," added Mantaring.
Last week, CEB announced it would shift to the 436-seater Airbus A330 for its Cebu, Davao and Hong Kong routes, also by July 4, 2017, resulting in 59% more capacity for each flight. The airline currently offers flights to a total of 37 domestic and 26 international destinations, operating over 100 routes spanning across Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and USA.
Special Treat From Cebu Pacific
Great news for Cebu Pacific passengers flying out of Dubai!
Cebu Pacific celebrates Philippine Independence Day by giving all passengers the freedom to bring more gifts and 'pasalubong' for their loved-ones as Cebu Pacific offers a total baggage allowance that exceeds a typical 'balikbayan box.'
CEB extends its promo granting its valued guests additional baggage allowance free-of-charge. Until November 30, 2017, all passengers originating from Dubai travelling to Manila who pre-purchase a 40-kilogram baggage allowance will get an extra 25 kilograms absolutely free! The extra baggage allowance will be given upon check-in at the airport. A 40-kg baggage allowance on Cebu Pacific costs between AED 320-350. What's more, the total 65 kilogram baggage allowance will be carried-over for guests with connecting flights to other Cebu Pacific destinations, as long as their flight itinerary was booked as a through sector.*
"Most of our passengers from Dubai to the Philippines are Filipinos working in the Middle East. It's customary for Filipinos to have gifts, or 'pasalubong' to friends and relatives in the Philippines, and the common practice is to either ship a 'balikbayan box' filled with these, ahead of their travel date back to the Philippines, or wait for the box to arrive in the country after 30 to 60 days, spending between AED210 to 370 for shipping. With this special offer from Cebu Pacific, everyJuan who travels from Dubai can get to take their 'balikbayan boxes' with them on the same flight, given that such boxes pass the regulations set by the Dubai Airport**. Now they can already hand over their gifts to their loved-ones personally at a shorter period of time," said Atty. JR Mantaring, CEB Vice President for Corporate Affairs.
Cebu Air, Inc. (PSE: CEB) and Cebgo:
Cebu Air, Inc. is the largest carrier in the Philippine air transportation industry, offering its low-cost services to more destinations and routes with higher flight frequency within the Philippines than any other airline.
For bookings and inquiries, guests can visit www.cebupacificair.com or call the reservation hotlines (+632)7020-888 or (+6332)230-8888. The latest seat sales can be found on CEB's official Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) and Facebook pages. Guests may also download the Cebu Pacific official mobile app on the App Store and Google Play.
