Cebu Pacific woos more chinese travelers

Cebu Pacific is strengthening its Cebu hub as it continues its expansion in 2019, spurred by the arrival of new aircraft.

Cebu Pacific said in a statement on Monday that it would launch six weekly flights between Cebu and Shanghai, China on April 15 this year.

The launch during the busy summer season will also help the airline tap additional tourists from China, with which the Philippines is enjoying warmers relations under the present administration.

“Direct flights from Shanghai to Cebu will also make it easier for Chinese tourists to access one of the best islands in the world,” the carrier said in its statement.

Citing data from the Department of Tourism, Cebu Pacific said Cebu and other provinces in Central Visayas received over eight million tourists last year. Of that number, 17 percent were Chinese, it said.

Moreover, Cebu serves as a jump-off point to nearby areas such as Siargao, Camiguin, and Puerto Princesa, the carrier added.

“We want to provide more international connections from other hubs in the Philippines and by connecting our Cebu hub to Shanghai, we offer travelers from the Visayas and Mindanao a compelling and easy option to access another top vacation destination,” Candice Iyog, vice president for Marketing and Distribution of Cebu Pacific, said in the statement.

Earlier, Cebu Pacific said it would receive 12 new planes this year. This includes six higher capacity and fuel efficient Airbus A321neos apart from five A320neos and one ATR 72-600.

For Cebu, the airline wants to increase capacity by 20 percent in 2019. It also has direct flights from Cebu to Hong Kong and Macau in China; as well as Narita, Japan; Incheon, Korea and Singapore.

Cebu Pacific is marking the launch of Cebu-Shanghai with a P1 base fare sale from March 22-30, 2019. Travel period is from April 15 through Sept. 30 this year. —MIGUEL R. CAMUS