CEBU, Philippines - The Mactan-Cebu International Airport reported five new flights launched in March this year, adding to its increasing direct connections to both local and international destinations.
China-based Sichuan Airlines launched its first scheduled service to the Philippines, particularly in Cebu last March 28 with a four times weekly flight (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays) between Chongqing (CKG) and Cebu (CEB) using its A321 aircraft.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has expanded its domestic routes out of its Cebu hub as it launched last March 26 flights between Cebu and Busuanga, Puerto Princesa, General Santos and Surigao.
"Cebu is emerging as one of the favorite destinations for foreign tourists and at the same time the perfect launch pad to the south, thus, we see more and more international airlines mounting new flights, while local airlines are expanding their domestic network out of Cebu," said Aines Librodo, GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp (GMCAC) head of airline marketing.
The Cebu-Chongqing route is Sichuan Airlines’ 32nd international route, fourth from Chongqing and first to the Philippines, which becomes the carrier’s 17th international country market.
PAL’s Cebu hub operates domestic flights to Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caticlan, Davao, Iloilo, Kalibo and Tacloban, as well as international flights to Chengdu, Los Angeles, Nagoya, Osaka, Narita (Tokyo), Seoul (Incheon) and Singapore.
MCIA is currently connected to 17 international destinations, 27 domestic destinations and with 20 partner airline carriers.
“As we continue to expand more flights, it is a clear indication that Cebu is no longer just a secondary airport. It is a viable choice connecting the rest of the Philippines to the world,” said GMCAC President Louie Ferrer.
For the next two years, GMCAC is planning to introduce new routes that connect Cebu to Australia, Europe and other Southeast Asian countries, as well as expand routes to China, Japan and South Korea.
GMCAC is aiming to reach 10 million passenger arrivals at the MCIA by the end of 2017, a 12 percent increase from the 8.9 million recorded in 2016. (FREEMAN)