CEB welcomes signing of Asean Open Skies protocols

The Philippines’ leading carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), on Wednesday welcomed the Philippine government’s ratification of the Asean Open Skies agreement which allows designated carriers of Asean countries to operate unlimited flights between capitals, leading to better connectivity and more competitive fares and services.

CEB currently offers the most number of flights and destinations to Asean from the Philippines. These destinations include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia (Siem Reap), Indonesia (Bali and Jakarta), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu), Singapore, Thailand (Bangkok and Phuket), and Vietnam (Hanoi and Saigon).

Through CEB’s interline agreement with Tigerair Singapore, CEB also offers flights to Myanmar (Yangon), via Singapore.

With Open Skies, CEB can add more flights to and from key destinations in Asean, to meet the growing travel demand within the region. Passengers from these international destinations may also take advantage of CEB’s lowest year-round fares and widest domestic network, to easily connect to any of the Philippines’ popular islands.

“We commend the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications), DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), DOT (Department of Tourism), CAB (Civil Aviation Board) and other relevant agencies for supporting the ratification of this agreement. The Philippine aviation industry has reached a milestone that will ultimately benefit the travelling public, as we open our airspace to vast travel opportunities and operational efficiencies between and among Asean carriers,” said Atty. JR Mantaring, CEB Vice President for Corporate Affairs, in a statement.

Subject to regulatory approvals, the agreement further allows carriers to upgrade its Asean flights to wide-bodied aircraft and increase capacity without the need for air talks. This streamlined process will enable CEB to focus on expanding its operations, stimulating passenger traffic, and improving customer experience rather than spending valuable resources on negotiating for additional air rights.

“Given our government’s support of this liberalized and equitable air services agreement, the Philippines solidifies its position as a prime and competitive global hub for air travel.  Cebu Pacific looks forward to contributing to this evolution, and enabling more Filipinos to fly across Asean, and across the globe“, Mantaring added.

CEB offers flights to a network of over 90 routes on 64 destinations, spanning Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. It is slated to launch direct flights between Manila and Guam, its first US destination, on March 15, 2016.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can visit www.cebupacificair.com or call (+632)7020-888 or (+6332)230-8888. The latest seat sales can be found on CEB’s official Facebook and Twitter pages. Guests may also download the Cebu Pacific official mobile app on the App Store and Google Play.