Cebu Pacific launches inaugural flight to Dubai

Cebu Pacific, the country’s biggest budget carrier, launched its inaugural Manila-Dubai flight Monday, marking both the airline’s first foray into the long-haul segment.

In a statement, Cebu Pacific CEO Lance Gokongwei, who was present during the flight ceremony, told guests that it was also the first time for a Philippine carrier to land in Dubai in 15 years.

“When we say we fly to where Filipinos are, we mean it. This was our mindset when we launched our first international flight to Hong Kong in 2001. This remains our mindset as we launch our 22nd international destination now,” Gokongwei said in the statement.

Data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration showed that United Arab Emirates ranks second to Saudi Arabia in terms of number of land-based new hires and rehires. In 2012, there were 259,546 land-based Filipino workers deployed to UAE.

The maiden return flight departed Dubai at 11:10 pm (Dubai time) and will arrive 11:40 a.m. the following day.

The flight also carried 100 Global Filipinos Cebu Pacific is flying home for free as part of a recent contest.

Cebu Pacific’s Manila-Dubai-Manila service uses its brand-new Airbus A330 aircraft, recently delivered from Toulouse, France.

With year-round fares starting at P4,999, Cebu Pacific offers passengers fares that are up to 35-percent lower than other carriers.

The airline’s 47-strong fleet is comprised of 10 Airbus A319, 27 Airbus A320, 2 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. It is one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2013 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 15 more brand-new Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo, and 4 Airbus A330 aircraft.

It flies to 34 Philippine and 22 international destinations on more than 90 routes from six Philippine hubs. This includes flights to Boracay, Cebu, Palawan, Beijing, Osaka, Seoul, Bali, Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok.