Cebu Pacific adds new Taiwan route

MANILA, Philippines —  Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific is opening another new route in Asia Pacific, this time in Taiwan, as the airline keeps an aggressive stance in expanding its flight network abroad.

Cebu Pacific yesterday said it is mounting Manila flights to Kaohsiung, one of the cities to the south of Taiwan, starting Aug. 16.

The airline owned by the Gokongweis will fly the route thrice a week – Monday, Wednesday and Friday – providing travelers with another option when visiting Taiwan.

Flight 5J 344 will leave the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 5:15 in the afternoon and land in Kaohsiung International Airport two hours later. Flight 5J 345 will leave Kaohsiung at eight in the evening and arrive in Manila after two hours.

Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Alexander Lao said the launch of Kaohsiung flights supports the airline’s strategy to expand its portfolio of international routes. Likewise, the carrier wants to offer its passengers new routes that they may want to explore.

“With growing interest among passengers to travel to new destinations, we hope that this launch will encourage them to add another destination to their itinerary or cross off one which they have been looking to visit,” Lao said.

For Cebu Pacific, the addition of Kaohsiung flights allows it to cover the north and the south of Taiwan, as it reaches the capital city and financial district of Taipei twice a day right now.

Whereas Taipei serves as the business center, Kaohsiung is famous for its heritage buildings and outdoor activities, pitching itself as a laid back alternative to the hustle and bustle in the capital.

Kaohsiung is home to the Love River, or Ai River, that stretches for 12 kilometers throughout the city. Travelers may also go to the countryside to learn about the Hakka culture in Meinong.

Cebu Pacific is offering a seat sale until June 13 to promote its Manila flights to Kaohsiung. The promo cuts the base fare to as low as P1, exclusive of other fees and surcharges, and guests may take the trip between Aug. 16 and Oct. 25.

Recently, Cebu Pacific launched Manila flights to Da Nang to mark its third destination in Vietnam on top of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.

At present, Cebu Pacific flies to 35 domestic routes and 25 international cities, reaching as far as Asia, Australia and the Middle East, with plans for further expansion here and abroad.