CEB focuses on long-haul expansion amid EU ban

CEBU, Philippines - Even with the current ban of the European Union for Philippine carriers from flying in the bloc, listed budget airline Cebu Air Inc. (Cebu Pacific) continues to serve global Filipinos with its long-haul expansion plans to other countries and continents in the world.

Five days ago, EU officially lifted its ban on the Philippines’ flag carrier, the Philippine Airlines (PAL). PAL is the first airline in the country to be allowed back to fly back to countries of the bloc.

In earlier reports, EU cited the "improved safety oversight provided by the competent authorities" and the ability of PAL to ensure "effective compliance with relevant aviation safety regulations” after an on-site safety assessment visit conducted last month.

Cebu Pacific, on the other hand, admitted that the airline company chose not to participate in the EU Air Safety Commission meeting held last June 26 in Brussels.

Apart from Cebu Pacific, the EU ban remains for 29 other carriers registered in the Philippines.

The prohibition from the 28-nation union took effect in 2010 due to “serious safety deficiencies” in the regulation of carriers of the Philippines.

“But Cebu Pacific hopes to make a representation in another EU Air Safety Commission meeting later this year,” it added in a statement given to the local media.

Beforehand, the airline carrier of taipan John Gokongwei Jr. has declared its long-haul expansion plans to Dubai.

It is also eyeing other regions in the world such as Middle East, Australia, parts of Europe and the United States where they can extend their service to even more Filipinos globally.

Due to the growing number of passengers, it was recently reported that Cebu Pacific is mounting additional weekly flights to Hanoi in Vietnam and Guangzhou in China which the airline company considers as one of the fast-growing source markets for foreign tourists.

This is in line with the airline’s ongoing expansion program particularly in Asia and Middle East and with the delivery of more aircraft in 2013.

At present, the low-cost carrier has existing daily flights to Ho Chi Minh, Shanghai, Xiamen and Beijing along with 16 international destinations in the region. /JOB (FREEMAN)