Cebu Pacific Unveils International Expansion Plans

The Civil Aeronautics Board of the Philippines has granted additional entitlements to Cebu Pacific for international routes from Manila to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), from various points in the Philippines to Taipei and Kaohsiung in Taiwan, and from Manila to key destinations in Russia.

Cebu Pacific was granted the right to operate seven additional flights weekly from Manila to the UAE, which would allow the airline to launch flights to any point in the UAE. Currently, Cebu Pacific is fully utilizing its entitlements with daily flights between Manila and Dubai.

Cebu Pacific's request for rights to operate direct flights to Taipei from Caticlan, Clark, Davao, Puerto Princesa, and Tagbilaran, as well as direct flights to Kaohsiung from Caticlan and Cebu, was likewise granted. The airline is presently operating ten times weekly flights between Manila and Taipei, and thrice weekly flights between Cebu and Taipei.

Cebu Pacific was also designated as an official Philippine carrier to Russia, and was granted thrice weekly flights each from Manila to Moscow and Vladivostok.

In the same board meeting, CAB approved Cebu Pacific's request to be designated as an official carrier under the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on Air Services (MAAS). As soon as the Philippines completes the ratification of the relevant protocols of the MAAS, Cebu Pacific will be able to operate unlimited flights between capital cities within the ASEAN region.

"We sincerely thank and commend the members of the Civil Aeronautics Board for enabling Philippine carriers such as Cebu Pacific to expand operations to key international destinations. We've always maintained that traffic rights are valuable resources that must be rationally allocated to carriers that are willing and able to utilize and operate flights. We look forward to mounting additional flights to meet the growing travel demand in communities we serve, and opening new routes to stimulate travel in emerging markets," said Atty. JR Mantaring, Cebu Pacific VP for Corporate Affairs.

Cebu Pacific currently offers flights to a network of over 90 routes on 60 destinations, spanning Sydney, Dubai, Doha, Bali, and Tokyo (Narita).

Cebu Pacific's 55-strong fleet is comprised of 8 Airbus A319, 33 Airbus A320, 6 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. Between 2016 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 5 more brand-new Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo, and 16 ATR 72-600 aircraft.