Zest Air to start direct flights to Shanghai

Traveling to Shanghai, China, will be a lot cheaper when Zest Air launches its Manila-Shanghai direct service in June with an introductory fare of P1,488 (exclusive of applicable taxes, surcharges and Philippine travel tax).

Zest Air chief executive officer Alfredo M. Yao said in a statement that the offer was good for limited seats only and that travel period will begin on the inaugural date, June 22, 2012.

Yao is encouraging businessmen to visit Shanghai at this time of the year, when the peak season is over, and prices are lower.

Shanghai is a major financial center. It has overtaken Singapore last year as the busiest container port in the world. It has been described as a showcase of the booming economy of China.

Zest Air will fly direct from Manila to Shanghai five times weekly every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. Departure time is 8:10 in the evening, except Saturdays when departure is an hour earlier at 7 p.m. Flying time is three and a half hours.

Zest Air will use its Airbus 320, which seats 180 passengers.