Cebu Pacific increases flights

Gokongwei-led Cebu Pacific has announced an increase in flights to major domestic and international routes in preparation for the coming summer peak season in the country.

Starting March 31, Cebu Pacific said it would more than double flights for its service between Manila and Tagbilaran to 33 a week in anticipation of strong demand. Tagbilaran is the main gateway to the island of Bohol, one of the country’s leading tourist attractions.

Flight frequencies to key domestic routes from Manila will also increase.

Cebu Pacific said starting April, there would be as many as six flights per day between Manila and Kalibo, one of the two gateways to Boracay Island. Flights to Bacolod will also be increased to as many as seven per day, the company said.

The company added that it would have 15 daily flights between Manila and Cebu, and up to 10 daily flights between Manila and Davao.

Cebu Pacific will also boost its Cebu hub with additional flights starting April 2. These include flights from Cebu to Bacolod (thrice daily), Boracay (23 times weekly), Davao (four times daily), General Santos (10 times weekly), Legazpi (five times weekly), Puerto Princesa (twice daily) and Siargao (six times weekly).

On the international side, Cebu Pacific said it would have five flights a day between Manila and Singapore starting March 23, and 12 weekly flights from Manila to Bangkok starting April 1.

“These flight frequency increases are in line with brand-new A320 aircraft deliveries in January and March, the first two of seven aircraft arriving this year. We look forward to flying our guests to their summer destinations with our brand-new aircraft, comprising one of the most modern fleets in the world,” Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog said.

Cebu Pacific flew 13.26 million passengers from January to December 2012, an increase of 11 percent from 11.93 million passengers flown in 2011.