Cebu Pac more than doubles seat capacity to Osaka

MANILA, Philippines - Budget airline Cebu Air Inc. (Cebu Pacific) is set to more than double its seat capacity to Osaka after the ban that prevented local airlines from mounting additional flights to Japan was lifted last month.

Candice Iyog, vice president for marketing and distribution of Cebu Pacific, said the low cost carrier is set to mount daily flights to Osaka which is the economic center of the Kansai region starting Dec. 20.

“We are proud to offer more low-fare great-value flights to the Kansai region, as we continue with our commitment to boost tourism and trade between the Philippines and Japan. This is great news on Cebu Pacific’s fifth year of operations in Japan,” Iyog said.

She explained that the airline would mount additional four weekly flights using the Airbus A320 aircraft. This would translate to a seat capacity increase airline of 133 percent.

Iyog said the airline is bullish about the expansion of its operations to more key cities in Japan, especially after the Philippines-Japan Air Consultation Talks in Tokyo last month.

Last Sept. 13, the Philippines and Japan concluded a memorandum of understanding (CMOU) lifting a ban preventing airlines from the Philippines from mounting additional flights to Japan.

The new air service agreement increased the number of flights between Manila and Narita to 400 per week from the previous 119 and allowed 14 flights per week between Manila and Haneda.

The agreement also called for unlimited air traffic rights between points in the Philippines except Manila and points in Japan except Haneda.

Japan has been imposing restrictions on local carriers from the Philippines preventing them from mounting additional flights after the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) raised several safety security concerns since 2008.

However, ICAO lifted the remaining significant security concerns after Philippines through the CAAP passed the audit conducted from Feb. 18 to Feb. 22 paving the way for the series of upgrades.

“The recently concluded air talks were very successful and will definitely pave the way for more direct linkages between the two countries. With more flights to the Philippines, we believe Japan can rival South Korea when it comes to foreign tourist arrivals,” she added.