CEBU PACIFIC is launching by the end of the year a new direct flight to Macau for passengers coming from the Visayas and Mindanao.
The budget carrier said in a statement on Friday that it will start flying from Cebu to Macau on Dec. 7, with flights that will run four times weekly — Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
“We believe that this new connection is not only an answer to our passengers’ demands, but will also stimulate both the trade and tourism aspects in both destinations as it makes available both passenger and cargo services,” Cebu Pacific Vice President for Corporate Affairs Paterno S. Mantaring, Jr. said in the statement.
The company said the new route is expected to boost Cebu Pacific’s dominance of air connections between the Philippines and Macau, as it takes more than 50% of the share of flights to the region from its hubs in Manila, Clark and Cebu.
“Macau, with its prime location, allows it to serve as a gateway to Pearl River Delta, making it a perfect access point for business and leisure travellers alike. This connection gives passengers from the Visayas and Mindanao a more viable option to fly to and from the area,” it added.
Cebu Pacific also announced it is increasing its frequencies for flights from Cebu to Hong Kong and to Narita starting Nov. 26 and Dec. 1, respectively. The carrier will start flying 10 times weekly from the previous seven times weekly to Hong Kong, and daily from the previous four times weekly to Narita.
“(Cebu Pacific), along with its wholly-owned subsidiary Cebgo, now operates direct flights to 21 domestic and five international destinations,” it said.
The listed operator of Cebu Pacific, Cebu Air, Inc., posted a 24% decline in its net income in the first half of the year to P3.309 billion due to the rising price of jet fuel and the weakening of the peso.
Cebu Air shares went up 80 centavos or 1.11% to close at P72.80 each on Friday. — Denise A. Valdez
