Cebu Pacific adds flights to Japan

Cebu Pacific Air, the country’s biggest budget carrier, is adding flights to Japan with the launch of direct flights from Cebu to Tokyo (Narita) starting March 26, 2015.

In a statement, the airline said it would launch four weekly flights (every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) between Cebu and Tokyo. The flight from Cebu will depart at 5:55 a.m. and arrive in Tokyo at 11:20 a.m. The return flight will leave Tokyo at 12:05 p.m. and arrive in Cebu at 4:25 p.m.

Using Cebu Pacific’s brand-new Airbus A320 fleet, the service is aimed at boosting Japanese tourist arrivals in Cebu.

Fares for the Cebu-Tokyo route start at P2,488, for travel from March 26 to May 31, 2015.

Cebu Pacific is the only low-cost carrier servicing this route. Its fares for the Cebu-Tokyo flights are about 60 percent lower that the rates charged by other airlines.

“Cebu Pacific has a good track record of stimulating travel because of its low fares and network. With this direct access to Cebu, we hope more Japanese tourists will visit the Philippines, just in time for the Visit the Philippines Year 2015,” said Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog.

Cebu is renowned as an island destination. Strategically located in the center of the Philippines, the airline said Cebu could also be a jump-off point to other beaches, diving and surfing spots such as Boracay, Camiguin, Siargao and Palawan (Puerto Princesa).

Cebu Pacific operates the most flights out of Mactan-Cebu International Airport, currently flying direct to 25 Philippine and international destinations.

“The new route also makes travel to Japan more convenient for those coming from the Visayas and Mindanao. We are launching direct Cebu-Tokyo flights just in time for the cherry blossom season in Japan. We hope more Filipinos can plan their trips ahead and experience this wonderful destination,” Iyog said.

Cebu Pacific launched direct flights from Manila to Tokyo (Narita) and Nagoya in March this year. A month after it launched direct flights, the Japan National Tourism Organization indicated that the Philippines was one of its fastest growing sources of foreign visitor arrivals. Cebu Pacific also flies from Manila to Osaka.

Aside from Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, Cebu Pacific offers flights to 25 other international destinations: Bali, Bangkok, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Dammam, Dubai, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon (Seoul), Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, Macau, Phuket, Riyadh, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Xiamen. It also operates the most extensive network in the Philippines.

Cebu Pacific 51-strong fleet is comprised of 10 Airbus A319, 28 Airbus A320, 5 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft.