Cebu Pacific wants more flights to tense Hong Kong

The Philippines’ largest budget airline is seeking additional flights to Hong Kong despite ongoing antigovernment demonstrations.

In a filing before the Civil Aeronautics Board, Cebu Pacific said it was seeking added flight entitlements to Hong Kong based on a provision under the Philippines-Hong Kong Air Services agreement that covers flights from Manila. The CAB has set a hearing on Sept. 16.

Cebu Pacific has 24 weekly flights between Manila and Hong Kong. It also operates 14 weekly flights from Clark International Airport, two weekly flights from Iloilo and nine weekly flights via Mactan Cebu International Airport.

This comes despite protests that have, at times, grounded all operations at the Hong Kong International Airport, which the Airports Council International said was the 8th busiest in the world in terms of passenger volume.

The protests were initially aimed at a bill, eventually shelved by the Hong Kong government, that would have allowed the extradition of fugitives to mainland China. Massive demonstrations, which began in June, show no signs of dissipating.

Cebu Pacific is ramping up expansion as it takes delivery of new planes.