Cebu Pacific expands Iloilo routes

MANILA, Philippines — Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific will mount new domestic flights out of Iloilo in December to scale up its local reach from the province in time for the holidays.

Cebu Pacific yesterday said it is topping up its Iloilo hub with more local routes, showing no signs of slowing down its flight expansion here and overseas.

The airline will operate daily flights from Iloilo to Tagbilaran, Bohol starting Dec. 1, and is following this up by opening thrice a week trips to Legazpi, Albay beginning Dec. 2.

Further, Cebu Pacific will connect Iloilo and Dumaguete from Dec. 3 onward, bridging the route three times a week. Once these services are active, the airline will widen its flight presence from Iloilo to 14 destinations, including two abroad - Hong Kong and Singapore.

Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Alexander Lao said the carrier is expanding its Iloilo coverage to cater to the travel demand from the province.

Prior to this, Cebu Pacific said it will connect Iloilo to Hong Kong four times a week starting Oct. 27 and to Singapore thrice weekly beginning Nov. 25.

Similarly, the airline in October is scheduled to resume Iloilo flights to Tacloban and Zamboanga as part of efforts to broaden its inter-island network.

“We are excited to introduce three new domestic routes from Iloilo, which comes just in time for the holiday season when many Filipinos go the extra mile to visit loved ones,” Lao said.

With new flights from Iloilo, Lao said travelers can reach the world-renowned Chocolate Hills in Bohol and the iconic Mayon Volcano in Albay. They would also have direct access to the cultural town of Dumaguete, which is also the jumpoff to marine sanctuary Apo Island.

Cebu Pacific is making a big bet on the travel viability around Visayas. This month, the airline is debuting weekly connections from Cebu to Bangkok via Don Mueang, Osaka, Masbate and San Vicente.

The largest domestic carrier by passenger size is also increasing its flight frequency from Cebu to destinations here and abroad, including Manila, Hong Kong, Incheon, Narita and Singapore.

Currently, Cebu Pacific operates a flight network of 35 domestic routes – the widest among local carriers – and 26 international cities, spanning Asia, Australia and the Middle East.