CEB launches direct Cebu-Tandag flights

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Pacific  sent off its maiden Cebu-Tandag-Cebu flights on June 30,   making the capital city of the province of Surigao del Sur more accessible to the traveling public.

“The addition of this thrice weekly Cebu-Tandag service to our network reinforces our commitment to make it easy to travel around the Philippines. Before, the closest airport with commercial flights was Butuan, which is approximately five hours away from Tandag by land. Now, Tandag is just a 65 minute flight from Cebu,” said Atty. Jorenz Tanada, CEB VP for Corporate Affairs, during the flight launch event in Cebu.

Tandag in Surigao del Sur is the gateway to the Enchanted River, the Britania Group of Islands, Cagwait Beach, Tinuy-an Falls and the surfing spot of Lanuza.

Utilizing a 72-seater ATR aircraft, the maiden flight departed Cebu at 11:10am, and arrived in Tandag at 12:15pm. The return flight departed Tandag at 12:35pm, and arrived in Cebu at 1:40pm.

The maiden flight from Cebu was sent off by Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Chief Finance Officer Brig. Gen. Rodante Joya, Department of Tourism  Central Visayas Regional Director Rowena Montecillo, Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority General Manager Engr. Nigel Paul Villarete, and Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Officer Hembler Mendoza.

From Tandag, the maiden flight was sent off by Tandag City Mayor Roxanne Pimentel, Surigao del Sur District I Congressman Philip Pichay, Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel, CAAP Chief Finance Officer Joya, and DOT Caraga Regional Director Leticia Tan.

The thrice weekly service (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) boosts CEB’s Cebu hub operations with direct flights to more tourist destinations. CEB already offers direct flights from Cebu to Camiguin, Dumaguete, Siargao, Coron, Puerto Princesa, Caticlan (Boracay), Legazpi and Davao, among others.

It also adds connectivity to the Caraga region, with CEB already operating flights to Siargao, Surigao and Butuan.

The lowest year-round fares for the Cebu-Tandag route start from PHP588.  (FREEMAN)