Cebu Pacific opens direct Manila-Shenzhen flights

Budget airline Cebu Pacific Air is opening direct flights between Manila and Shenzhen, expanding its operations in China.

Cebu Pacific said in a statement that flights to Shenzhen, dubbed China’s Silicon Valley given the presence of large tech companies such as Huawei and Tencent, would operate four times a week starting July 1 this year.

“The new route is in line with the carrier’s plans to expand its route network in China to cater to increasing demand for leisure and business travel,” Cebu Pacific said in a statement.

Shenzhen marks Cebu Pacific’s fifth destination in China and the budget airline’s 27th international destination.

As China’s first special economic zone, the city is an important center for trade.

Shenzhen is located two hours and 40 minutes away from Manila.

Cebu Pacific said the evening departure of the flights would enable travelers to make full use of business hours, both in Manila and Shenzhen.

“We want to provide our travelers a viable option to reach some of the most crucial commercial centers in the world,” Candice Iyog, vice president for marketing and distribution of Cebu Pacific, said in the statement.

“Our new direct service between Manila and Shenzhen will enable faster movement of people and products providing increased mobility and access in some of the fastest-growing economies in the world,” she added.

Cebu Pacific flies 23 times weekly between the Philippines and mainland China. It has direct flights between Shanghai, Manila and Cebu as well as Manila and Beijing, Guangzhou and Xiamen. —MIGUEL R. CAMUS