Aviation News
- Philippine low-cost airlines breaks into China market
Date: 14-Sep-2007 Sources: (People's Daily)
Philippine low-cost airlines Cebu Pacific Air completed its maiden flight to Shanghai, the first of four Chinese destinations to be served, Local media reported on Thursday.
The 150-seat A319 deployed for the daily Manila-Shanghai service took off for the first time on Wednesday night at 8:05 p.m. ; and it arrived at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 11:45 p.m., Philippine Daily Inquirer said.
The Airbus aircraft departed from Shanghai at 12:30 a.m. Thursday, and returned to its home base at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 1 at 4:10 a.m..
Cebu Pacific is the only Asian budget carrier serving international flights to and from Shanghai.
Also set to take off are direct flights from Manila to Xiamen, Guangzhou and Macau. Cebu Pacific will start flying to Xiamen later this month, and to Guangzhou and Macau in October.
'Seeing that China is a growing tourist market for the Philippines, we want to be able to replicate the success of our low-cost model in the Philippines in China as well,' said Candice Iyog, vice-president for marketing.
The lowest 'Go' fare to Shanghai starts at 2,999 pesos (64 U.S. dollars) one-way. Iyog said the fastest way to book tickets is through the airline's Website, www.cebupacificair.com.
'We are sure that with the low fares we are offering to and from Shanghai, we will be able to stimulate travel and help grow our tourist arrivals from China. We hope that more Filipinos take advantage of our year-round low fares to go and see Shanghai,' Iyog said.
Now in its 12th year, Cebu Pacific has the youngest fleet in the Philippines with a fleet age of a little over one year. The budget carrier operates 14 Airbus aircraft to its 20 domestic destinations and soon-to-be 12 international destinations with the addition of Xiamen, Guanghzou, and Macau.
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