CEB offers low fare credit to government units nationwide

Budget carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB), the airline business unit of JG Summit Holdings Inc., is offering its low fares on credit to the government to help its various agencies save on travel expenses.

Agencies can have a pre-approved credit limits depending on their requirements, Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and product, said.

The program has already enrolled 31 government agencies, from only one as of January 2007.

“Our ’all inclusive’ fare program fits the government’s need for austerity measures, offering savings of up to 35% compared to fares from other local airlines,” Iyog said.

Some foreign embassies have also enrolled in the program, Iyog added.

“These institutional accounts have been on the rise as well and we expect this to further grow since we have reduced our fares, offer the most number of domestic flights, and serve the most number of both ASEAN and local destinations among local airlines,” she said.

The airline early this month announced an effective reduction on a permanent basis in its fares by as much as 32%. This allows government units and private companies to travel more for the same travel budget or even save and fly the same.

Various government agencies and units also get great savings for using CEB for their international trips in CEB’s rapidly growing network in Asia.

Aurora Tandoc from the Office of the Deputy General Manager of the Philippine Tourism Authority explained, “CEB’s online booking system for government partners allows us to save much on our travel budget since we get to purchase the lowest available fares. It is also very convenient to use and allows us to confirm bookings for urgent travel requirements.”

“With the rising oil prices dampening travel worldwide, we believe reducing our fares is the best way to keep people flying,” Iyog said.

Cebu Pacific permanently cuts domestic fares

Shifts to all-inclusive fare format
Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines’ leading domestic air carrier, is reducing its domestic fares permanently by as much as 32% to encourage more people to fly amid rising fuel prices.

Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and product, said the new lower all-inclusive fares will take effect on June 12, 2008.  This includes the fuel and insurance surcharge, aviation security fee and 12% VAT.

The ‘all-in’ pricing format is introduced with a seat sale across CEB’s domestic network. The promotional offer will run from June 12 to 17, 2008 and is valid for travel on July 1 to October 15, 2008. There are more than half a million seats allocated for this promotion.

‘All-in’ fares for short sectors such as Manila-Legaspi are at P699 one-way while a one-way Manila-Cebu flight would cost P999 and a Manila-Davao sector would cost only P1,499 during the seat sale.At seat sale levels, these reduction represent savings of up to 56% over today’s rate.

Iyog also said CEB is shifting to an ‘all-in’ pricing format so passengers will immediately know the total amount they need to pay and can easily compare CEB fares with other modes of transportation including ferries and buses.

After the seat sale, the one-way Manila-Davao would cost P2,499 ‘all-in’ while a one-way Manila-Cebu is sold at P1,499. On the other hand, out of pocket cost for one-way Manila-Legaspi is P999 one-way.

“We would like to continue domestic tourism’s growth momentum by introducing reduced all-in fares.  We want to assure the public that CEB will do everything possible to keep air fares down because this is also good for the economy.”  Iyog said.

Iyog also added that they are doing this to respond to the public’s desire for a more transparent and simple communication of fares.

“We really hope that this new move is deemed as a positive change in the industry and we encourage other airlines to do the same.”  Iyog emphasized

CEB has a fleet of ten A319s, eight A320s, and two ATR 72-500 aircraft. The airline flies to 16 international destinations with the addition of Kota Kinabalu next month. It will also add Tuguegarao and Naga,in its domestic network this June and San Jose (Mindoro) in July.