Cebu Pacific eyes more regional routes

SINGAPORE – Cebu Pacific, following the introduction of its Manila-Singapore service, is looking at flying to three new regional destinations next year, China, Taiwan and Japan.

"It’s the success and the commitment to the Cebu Pacific vision that has given us the confidence to give our brand of service to the region, to Hong Kong, Seoul and now to Singapore," Cebu Pacific president Lance Gokongwei said in a news conference following the airline’s inaugural flight to Singapore.

Actual commercial flight started last Oct. 1, but the ceremonial inaugural flight was mounted only early this month.

"When we began our domestic operations, our aim was to introduce the convenience of air travel to more Filipinos," Gokongwei said. "Now, as we venture into the regional area, one of our goals is to give international travelers the same sense of safety, efficiency, fun, and basically a totally unique and enjoyable mode of air transportation."

Cebu Pacific uses Boeing 757s for its regional service.

Singapore is a key market for Philippine carriers. This city state is host to thousands of overseas Filipino workers and is a favored destination in Asia among Filipino tourists.

Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Ernesto Llamas said Cebu Pacific’s entry into the Manila-Singapore-Manila route is a "concrete manifestation of the airline’s confidence in the future of Philippine tourism and in an expanded international and intra-regional travel."

Llamas was on hand to witness the ceremonies at Changi Airport marking Cebu Pacific’s inaugural flight together with Singapore’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Jackie Foo, and Changi Airport officials.

Cebu Pacific’s general sales agent and official representative in Singapore is Aviation Services Pte. Ltd.