Cebu Pacific Air on Saturday announced it has started operating one new international and two domestic flights to and from Clark International Airport.
With these new flights to and from Bacolod, Iloilo and Narita, Japan, CEB will become the largest carrier in Clark in terms of capacity by end of the year, capturing 28 percent of total number of seats offered by all carriers operating in the area.
CEB operates daily flights from Clark to Bacolod and Iloilo, while direct service to and from Narita is scheduled four times weekly—Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday.
The airline also announced earlier it will begin operating daily between Clark and Puerto Princesa in Palawan by the fourth quarter of 2019.
These four new routes will boost CEB’s total capacity in Clark by 40 percent in 2019 alone, following a 75 percent increase last year with the launch of direct commercial air service to and from Davao and Panglao (Bohol) as well as the additional frequency for the Clark-Macau route.
“We have been operating flights in and out of Clark since 2006. The opening of these new routes is a testament of how committed we are to continuously develop this hub—we are not only establishing seamless inter-island connections but also opening up North Luzon to more potential entrepreneurs, both local and foreign, furthering tourism, trade and investment opportunities in Clark and its surrounding areas,” said Lance Gokongwei, CEB president and chief executive officer, in a statement.
Meanwhile, legacy carrier Philippine Airlines on Saturday praised the government for its success in improving security condition at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
As a result, the US Department of Homeland Security lifted its travel advisory and recognized the significant improvements in the implementation of security measures at the NAIA, in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization standards.
“As the flag carrier and largest international airline operating at the NAIA, Philippine Airlines will continue to cooperate with the Department of Transportation and Manila International Airport Authority to sustain the positive developments, so that our passengers benefit from a safe and secure gateway airport in their journeys to and from Manila,” said PAL spokesperson Ma. Cielo Villaluna.
MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal expressed elation over the lifting of the public notice issued by US-DHS in December 2018.
“Our hopes remained high following the positive reviews given by the US-Transportation Security Administration during its last security assessment. The silent waiting is finally over,” said Monreal.
“All the sleepless nights were all worth it,” he added.