Cebu Pacific launches new routes in Clark

MANILA, Philippines — Budget carrier Cebu Pacific eyes to become the largest carrier operating in Clark in terms of capacity by the end of the year, unseating flag carrier Philippine Airlines.

“By end 2019, Cebu Pacific will be the largest carrier in Clark in terms of capacity with over 28 percent of all seats offered and over 184 flights per week across all our routes, including the upcoming Clark to Puerto Princesa route,” Cebu Pacific president and chief executive officer Lance Gokongwei said.

To support the company’s year-end goal, Cebu Pacific is expanding its footprint in North and Central Luzon as it inaugurated yesterday operation of three new flights from the Clark International Airport, namely to Bacolod, Iloilo and Narita, Japan.

Flights from Clark to Bacolod and Iloilo run daily, while direct service to and from Narita is scheduled four times weekly (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday).

Cebu Pacific will also begin flying daily between Clark and Puerto Princesa in Palawan by the fourth quarter of 2019.

The four new routes is seen boosting the carrier’s total capacity in Clark by 40 percent this year alone, following a 75 percent increase in 2018 with the launch of direct commercial air service to and from Davao and Panglao (Bohol) as well as 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,” Gokongwei said.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said Cebu Pacific’s continued expansion in Clark is aligned with the government’s goal of providing mobility and connectivity to passengers.

“Today’s inauguration will be a game changer for Clark. Now you connect Clark to Iloilo, Bacolod and Narita all happening for the first time. This is part of our goal to provide connectivity to riding passengers,” Tugade said.

“Passengers should have freedom of choice that is why I want to have a lot of airports and airlines who will compete with each other. Riding public can decide what airport and which airline will they use. It is the riding public and the country that benefit in the end,” he said.

Cebu Pacific flies to four other domestic destinations namely Cebu, Caticlan, Tagbilaran, Davao, and three other international destinations namely Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong to and from Clark.

“As we aim to fly 200 million passengers by 2020; and 300 million by 2022, trust that we have been and will always keep our customers at the heart of the business. Rest assured, we will continue to cater to the growing travel demand by enabling more Juans to travel conveniently and affordably through our year-round low fares,” Gokongwei said.

The airline expects to receive over 60 aircraft in the next eight years, guaranteeing even greater growth in and out of the Philippines.

Aside from Clark, Cebu Pacific operates flights out of six other strategically placed hubs in the Philippines: Manila, Kalibo, Iloilo, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro (Laguindingan) and Davao.

The carrier operates over 2,000 weekly flights across 37 domestic and 26 international destinations.