CEB to begin Davao-Kalibo and Davao-Puerto Princesa flights in August

The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE:CEB) will launch direct flights from Davao to Kalibo and to Puerto Princesa on August 1, 2012. This is in time for the delivery of three more brand-new Airbus A320 aircraft in the 2nd half of 2012.

CEB is slated to operate a four times weekly service every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from Davao to Kalibo and to Puerto Princesa. It will be the only airline offering these routes.

From Davao, CEB currently operates 8 daily flights to Manila, 4 daily flights to Cebu, daily flights to both Iloilo and Zamboanga and 4 weekly flights to Cagayan de Oro. It posted a 17% passenger growth in the 1st quarter of 2012, as compared to the same period last year.

“These routes will be launched just in time for Davao’s Kadayawan Festival in August. It will open up new markets from Palawan and Aklan, especially since fares to Davao and vice versa are now 55% lower with direct flights,” CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog said.

“CEB’s extensive route network will also encourage Davao’s top tourist markets from the US, Japan, South Korea, China and ASEAN to proceed to Davao after visiting Palawan or Boracay. We believe in Davao’s potential for tourism, as the largest airline operating from this hub,” Iyog added.

Department of Tourism Region 11 Director Art Boncato said, “Direct flights most definitely help us achieve our tourism targets. The modern-day traveler prioritizes seamless travel when choosing the destinations to visit. These direct flights would certainly hasten our tourism growth since we already have ample products and services fit for various markets.”

He described the Davao region as an eco-tourism destination, where travelers can go on a fun adventure from its islands to highlands terrain. Davao City also aims to be a leading venue for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibits (MICE) in the country with facilities that can accommodate 5,000 delegates, and more than 7,000 hotel rooms.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to www.cebupacificair.com, or call the reservation hotlines (02) 7020-888 or (032) 230-8888. The latest seat sales and promos can also be found on CEB’s official Twitter and Facebook pages.

CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 20 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. Its fleet of 38 aircraft – with an average age of 3.6 years – is the largest aircraft fleet in the Philippines. Between 2012 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 22 more Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders. It is slated to begin long-haul services in the 3rd quarter of 2013.

In its 16th year of operations, CEB had flown over 60 million passengers. It provides access to the most extensive network in the Philppines, with 32 domestic and 19 international destinations. The airline also remains a pioneer in the Philippine aviation industry by being the first to offer web check-in, self check-in, e-ticketing and Lite Fares.

About Cebu Air Inc. (PSE: CEB)

Cebu Air Inc. is the largest carrier in the Philippine air transportation industry, offering its low-cost services to more destinations and routes with higher flight frequency within the Philippines than any other airline.