CEBU PACIFIC said it is offering a new flight linking Cebu to Shanghai in China as it sees growing demand for the route.
In a statement on Monday, the budget carrier said the new service will open on Apr. 15 and will have six weekly flights from Monday to Saturday.
“We want to provide more international connections from other hubs in the Philippines and by connecting our Cebu hub to Shanghai, we offer travelers from the Visayas and Mindanao a compelling and easy option to access another top vacation destination,” Cebu Pacific Vice-President for Marketing Candice Jennifer A. Iyog was quoted as saying.
The Gokongwei-led firm had earlier said it wants to increase the capacity of its Cebu hub by 20% by the end of 2019. It is currently offering direct flights from the city to Hong Kong, Macau, Narita, Incheon and Singapore.
Last year, Cebu Pacific President Lance Y. Gokongwei said the new planes that the carrier is scheduled to receive this year may likely be used for new routes to China, connecting to secondary cities such as Chengdu and Xi An.
The company is expecting to take delivery of six Airbus A321neos, five A320neos and one ATR 72-600 within the year. Cebu Pacific posted a net income of P3.9 billion in 2018, down 50% on high fuel prices and volatile Philippine peso. — Denise A. Valdez
