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.

No more fuel & insurance surcharge for Cebu Pacific domestic flights

First Philippine carrier to remove surcharges

Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines’ leading low-fare airline, removes fuel and insurance surcharges for all domestic flight bookings starting January 7, 2009.

Candice Iyog, CEB spokesman, said, “We are committed to offering the public the most affordable fares coupled with the newest planes. In fact, we have made air travel a viable option for those who would normally travel by bus or ferry. We will continue to give EveryJuan more reasons to fly as we expect to take delivery of six brand new aircraft in 2009.”

Iyog explained that the removal of fuel and insurance surcharges will now allow passengers to easily compare airfare with the fares of buses and ferries.

The airline also cuts its fuel and insurance surcharge for select international routes. CEB’s Manila-Bangkok and Clark-Bangkok one-way surcharges are slashed from USD80 to USD50 and USD80 to USD60, respectively.

Moreover, CEB’s Manila-Osaka one-way surcharges are lowered from USD110 to USD100 and Manila-Hong Kong surcharges are reduced from USD45 to USD40 per way.

Iyog concluded, “We encourage everyone to book their flights via www.cebupacificair.com , call the reservations hotline (632) 70-20-888, or visit their nearest travel agents.”

CEB has the most number of inter-island routes and connections from its hubs in Clark, Manila, Cebu and Davao. It will fly to 28 domestic destination and 15 international cities.