CEB can exceed 7M target if allowed to fly Clark-HK

Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines’ single largest domestic airline and biggest carrier to the ASEAN region, can exceed its goal to carry seven million passengers this year if it is allowed to match the Clark-Hong Kong service of Hong Kong Express that started last week.

Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and product, said “It is unfortunate that a Filipino airline does not have the same privilege a foreign airline enjoys in the Philippines.”

CEB’s application last year to fly from Clark to Hong Kong, among other destinations,  was turned down by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation due to the lack of entitlements.

Hong Kong Express, however, can mount the same service because of Executive Order 500A which virtually opened up Clark to foreign carriers.

“But the favor has not been returned. In our case, the foreign governments turned down our application to fly from Clark, making it a nonviable 4th hub for CEB at this time.  We would like to see reciprocity and fairness.” she said.

Iyog added that making Clark the staging point for various international destinations is strategically important since

• Those from northern Luzon do not have to travel all the way to Manila to catch their international flights
• This will unlock economic opportunities in the North
• This will prepare Clark for its eventual expanded role as an international gateway.

She said that CEB has always been for reciprocal open skies and agreeable to a competitive set-up because this would give the Philippine carriers the same opportunity being given to foreign carriers in vying for passengers and operating new routes.

Now in its 13th year, CEB continues to have the youngest fleet in the Philippines. It flies to 12, soon to be 15 international destinations, with the addition of Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Kaohsiung. CEB also operates flights to 21 domestic destinations.

CebuPac offers P188 domestic; P1,488 international seat sale

Cebu Pacific (CEB) is offering a seat sale from all its hubs – Cebu, Clark, Davao and Manila – starting March 10 to 13, 2009, to keep travel affordable in these challenging times.

The promotional seat sale is valid for travel from April 1 to July 31, 2009.  Domestic fares are all-inclusive; Regional passengers need to pay travel taxes, except OFWs and foreigners staying in the Philippines for less than a year who are exempt. Promo fares are non-refundable.

Candice Iyog, CEB VP for marketing and distribution, said, “The current seat sale supports the focus on tourism to tide the country over the financial crisis. Cebu Pacific has always been keen in making travel more affordable for Filipinos.”

CEB is offering a P1,488 one-way ‘Go Lite’ fare for its Manila-Kota Kinabalu and Manila-Kaohsiung services. This is also extended to services from Clark to:

• Bangkok;
• Hong Kong;
• Macau; and
• Singapore.

The budget airline is also offering a one-way P1,388 ‘Go Lite’ all-in fare for its Manila to Cotabato and Butuan services.

From Cebu, the airline is offering a one-way P188 all-in ‘Go Lite’ fare to Bacolod, Butuan, Dumaguete and Surigao, and a one-way P488 all-in ‘Go Lite’ fare to:

• Cotabato;
• Dipolog;
• GenSan;
• Legaspi;
• Ozamiz;
• Puerto Princesa;
• Siargao;
• Tacloban; and
• Zamboanga.

From Davao, the airline is selling a one-way P488 all-in ‘Go Lite’ fare to Iloilo and Zamboanga.

‘Go Lite’ fares are for passengers traveling with no check-in baggage.  Passengers with check-in bags just have to add P200 to the fare.

Passengers can book online at www.cebupacificair.com or call reservations at 70-20-888, or visit their nearest travel agents.

Now on its 14th year, CEB continues to have the youngest aircraft fleet in the Philippines, comprised of 11 Airbus A320, 10 Airbus A319, and seven ATR 72-500.