The Philippines
and Cebgo (formally Tigerair Philippines). It offers a network of 90 routes, including Sydney, Dubai, Doha, Bali, and Tokyo (Narita). Late last year, the airline launched three new routes: Manila-Fukuoka, Cebu-Taipei, and Davao-Singapore. It is also slated to launch direct flights from Manila to Guam, its first US destination, on March 15, 2016. The Guam route will operate four times a week and utilise a brand-new Airbus A320. “Having Guam in our network sets us off on another expansion path across the Pacific,” says Cebu Pacific president and CEO Lance Gokongwei. “With the launch of Guam, we offer fares that are up to 83% lower than other airlines. Fares this low can only mean more tourists to both countries, more Filipinos visiting home, and more opportunities for everyone.” The group’s 55-strong fleet comprises eight Airbus A319s, 33 Airbus A320s, six Airbus A330s and eight ATR-72 500 aircraft. Between 2016 and 2021, Cebu Pacific’s delivery schedule includes five more brand- new Airbus A320s as well as 30 Airbus A321neo, and 16 ATR 72-600 aircraft. It won’t be difficult to place them. Recently, the Civil Aeronautics Board granted Cebu Pacific permission for international routes from Manila to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and key destinations in Russia, and from various points in the Philippines to Taipei and Kaohshiung in Taiwan.
million passengers, a double-digit increase on 2014 thanks to rapid expansion. The downside of this is that it has been struggling to maintain load factors, according to latest flight capacity and traffic demand data. Low fuel prices and a more conservative approach going forward should keep the airline on an even keel, however.
Manila Cathedral The airline can operate an additional
seven flights weekly from Manila to any point in the UAE and can serve Moscow and Vladivostok three times a week. Its request for rights to operate direct flights to Taipei from Caticlan, Clark, Davao, Puerto Princesa, and Tagbilaran, as well as flights to Kaohshiung from Caticlan and Cebu, was also granted.
Cebu Pacific has meanwhile become an official carrier under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Multilateral Agreement on Air Services. As soon as the Philippines completes the ratification of the relevant protocols, the airline will be able to operate unlimited flights between capital cities within the ASEAN region.
“We’ve always maintained that traffic rights are valuable resources that must be rationally allocated to carriers that are willing and able to utilise and operate flights,” says Atty. JR Mantaring, Cebu Pacific’s VP for Corporate Affairs. “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.”
Notable expansion Meanwhile, PAL’s network has grown to more than 40 destinations compared with only 25 in January 2013. In 2015, the airline is predicted to have carried around six
routesonline.com
The most notable feature of PAL’s expansion has been the move into destinations beyond the Asia-Pacific region. A couple of years back, the airline limited its global exposure to five stops in North America. The network now includes Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Dubai, Jeddah, London, Kuwait and Riyadh. The US is still a big pull though and in March this year PAL will begin serving Los Angeles from Cebu, its first long-haul route from this airport. A three-times weekly service using an Airbus A340 will supplement the Manila-Los Angeles operation. Building up Cebu is likely to figure
strongly in PAL’s thinking due to congestion at Manila. It has already grown its domestic services there, predominantly handled by subsidiary PAL Express. Meanwhile, two new Boeing 777- 300ERs, arriving later in the year, will facilitate additions to the international network. It is also reported that PAL will order Airbus A350-900s, to upgrade New York services, fly non-stop to Toronto and add another mainland US destination, with San Diego and Las Vegas both possible targets. PAL has 28 destinations in Asia- Pacific, including eight in Australasia following new routes to Cairns, Auckland and Port Moresby. The airline competes on only one of its existing Australasia routes, Manila-Sydney, which is also served by Cebu Pacific and Qantas. Australasia is also likely to benefit from PAL’s narrowbody orders, which include 30 A321neo aircraft for delivery from 2017. PAL is reportedly looking at converting some of its A321neo orders to A321LRs, allowing it to launch new non-stops to destinations such as Brisbane and Perth.
Routes News 1, 2016
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