Cebu Pacific suspends Siem Reap route

MANILA, Philippines — Budget carrier Cebu Pacific is suspending its flights to Siem Reap this month, along with the previously announced closure of operations in Guam.

Cebu Pacific will stop flying to the popular resort town in northwestern Cambodia after more than seven years, as well as on its only US destination effective Dec. 8.

Cebu Pacific spokesperson Charo Logarta-Lagamon said “route viability became a concern” for its Siem Reap service.

The Gokongwei-owned carrier launched direct flights from Manila to Siem Reap in Cambodia in April 2012, becoming the first airline to offer the route.

Cebu Pacific has also decided to stop its operations in Guam to further optimize its slots.

Guam is the first and only US territory to which Cebu Pacific flies to. It started its Manila-Guam route in March 2016.

Cebu Pacific is the country’s largest budget carrier with a fleet comprised of 74 aircraft, including 31 Airbus A320, eight A330, seven ATR 72-500, 13 ATR 72-600, and an ATR Cargo Freighter which is used by subsidiary Cebgo to service inter-island flights in the Philippines where jet operations are not possible.

It offers flights to a number of domestic as well as international destinations that cuts across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

Cebu Pacific last June ordered a total of 31 next generation aircraft from Airbus comprised of 16 A330neo and 15 A320neo family aircraft which are scheduled for delivery between 2021 and 2026.

The latest order is in addition to the 32 A321neo aircraft the company ordered in 2011, which are for delivery until 2022.

In the nine months ending September, the company saw profit surge 142.9 percent to P6.75 billion on soaring revenues driven by higher passenger volume and ticket prices.