CEBU, Philippines — Five-star airline Cathay Pacific announced that it will expand its flight frequency from Cebu to Hong Kong to eight times a week starting October 28, 2024.
In an interview, Vishnu Rajendran, Cathay Pacific Country Manager for the Philippines, said that the decision was made following a surge in leisure and business travel after the pandemic.
“We used to operate 14 flights a week before the pandemic began. We are now on track to get back to 100 percent overall capacity by next year,” said Rajendran.
According to him, revenge travel after the pandemic has sped up the recovery of flight frequencies for airline services, including Cathay Pacific.
He said passengers not only visit Hong Kong but also use the route to connect to other destinations around the world, including Asia, America, the Middle East, Australia, and the entire Cathay Pacific global network.
“We have seen an overall growth in the market, like OFW travel, business, leisure [tourism] which gives us confidence to resume the flight frequency from Cebu,” added Rajendran.
Meanwhile, Rajendran welcomed the Cebu Connect initiative of Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) through its operator, Aboitiz InfraCapital GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (AGMCAC).
MCIA opened the “Cebu Connect” facility, a one-stop-shop transfer facility hub, to promote seamless domestic and international transfer for passengers.
Rajendran highlighted Cebu’s “market growth potential” as a hub due to its advanced airport infrastructure.
The Cathay Pacific executive also lauded the airport’s user-friendly facilities and its convenience as a gateway to the Visayas and Mindanao destinations.
Cathay Pacific recently gathered media friends, passenger and cargo agents and Cathay members for an afternoon catchup at the Ayala Center’s Cibo.
The routine of eight flights a week from Cebu plus six daily flights from Manila – which will bring the total to 50 flights per week between the Philippines and Hong Kong – further enhances the connectivity of Cathay Pacific customers to the rest of the world.
Rajendran also announced its tie-up with popular Italian caffé Cibo as a lifestyle dining partner. The exclusive Cibo offer for Cathay members allows them to redeem ten popular set meals using miles, a combination of miles plus cash or purely cash.
“Cibo is a fantastic addition to the list of products and experiences that are available to Cathay members, making miles relevant not only for travel but for their everyday spending,” Rajendran said.