Cebu Pacific Air launched two new international destinations on March 30, and effectively became the first Philippine low-cost carrier to operate direct daily flights from Manila to Tokyo (Narita), and four times weekly flights from Manila to Nagoya, in addition to its existing Manila-Osaka route.
Cebu Pacific Air president Lance Gokongwei (third from right) welcomes the airline’s guests of honor to the Manila-Tokyo and Manila-Nagoya inaugural rites at NAIA Terminal 3. They are (from left) Maj. Gen. Jose Angel Honrado (Manila International Airport Authority general manager); Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez; DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya; Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe; DOT Assistant Secretary Benito Bengzon; and Atty. Carmelo Arcilla (Civil Aeronautics Board executive director).
Airline president Lance Gokongwei led the inaugural ceremonies at the NAIA Terminal 3 for the first set of passengers aboard brand new Airbus A320s.
His guests of honor comprised of Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe; Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez; Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio; Executive Director of the Civil Aeronautics Board Atty. Carmelo Arcilla; Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary Benito Bengzon; and Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Major General Jose Angel Honrado.
“I am happy to say that we are the first Philippine low-cost carrier to fly to three key cities in Japan,” Gokongwei said in his welcome address. “What does this mean for every Juan?
“First, Cebu Pacific’s trademark lowest fares enable even more travelers from the Philippines to explore the beautiful country of Japan.
“Second, it allows us to contribute to the country’s tourism agenda… offering Japanese leisure and business travelers [the same] trademark lowest fares, and convenient connectivity from Japan to our wide network of domestic destinations through Terminal 3, flying to 33 cities in the Philippines.”
Daily services to Tokyo (Narita) depart Manila at 5:25 a.m., arriving in Tokyo at 10:35 a.m. The return flight departs Tokyo at 11:45 a.m., and arrives in Manila at 3:45 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Manila-Nagoya-Manila service flies every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. It departs Manila at 3:20 p.m., arriving in Nagoya at 8:25 p.m. The return flight departs Nagoya at 9:10 p.m., and arrives in Manila at 12:10 a.m. the next day.
The two new destinations make for a total of 24 international routes for Cebu Pacific from Manila, namely Bali, Bangkok, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Dubai, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon (Seoul), Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Osaka, Phuket, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Singapore, Taipei and Xiamen.
The airline’s 51-strong fleet ably services these flights with 12 more brand new Airbus A320s, 30 Airbus A321neos, and three Airbus A330s aircraft scheduled for delivery.
For inquiries, log on to www.cebupacificair.com, Twitter (@cebupacificair) and Facebook; or call (02) 702-0888 or (032) 230-8888.