LONDON – Philippines airline Cebu Pacific (CEB) is continuing to boost its international network as it ramps up flights to Singapore from its two largest hubs, Manila and Cebu.

From next month, the carrier plans to fly the route twice daily from Manila, and thrice weekly from Cebu.

Manila hub

Cebu will supplement its single daily flight offering from Manila to Singapore with a second option, scheduled for a morning departure from next month.

From 1 July, Flight 5J 813 will depart Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 5:35AM (LMT) daily for Singapore Changi Airport.

The new return flight, 5J 814, is scheduled to depart Singapore at 10:15AM, and arrive in Manila at 2:00PM.

Cebu hub

July 15 will see the re-inauguration of the airline’s flight service from its Cebu hub to Singapore. A thrice weekly scheduled will be offered, with late night flights departing each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Flight 5J 547 is scheduled to depart Mactan Cebu International Airport at 11:05PM (LMT), with arrival at Changi Airport by 3:00AM the following day.

The early morning return flight, 5J 548, will be scheduled every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. It will leave Singapore at 4:00AM, and arrive in Cebu at 8:05AM.

About Cebu Pacific

Cebu Pacific, or Cebu Pac as it is referred to locally, is the Philippines oldest operating airline, having been founded in 1988.

In 2010, the airline was recognised as the Philippines’ largest airline, based on the number of passengers flown on its international and domestic routes.

With the COVID-19 pandemic hitting the nation particularly hard, Cebu had suspended all domestic operations into the capital, Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport from March 15, amidst a wave rising infections.

Just two days later on March 17, it was announced that the airline and its subsidiary, Cebgo, would suspend all flight operations due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine measures implemented by the government to control the spread of Coronavirus infections. Flights were then cancelled until April 14.

Post-COVID expansion and re-inauguration welcomed

The gradual expansion and re-inauguration of international routes was naturally welcomed by the airline.

Cebu Air Chief Commercial Officer, Xander Lao, said: “We are delighted to continue ramping-up our international flight frequencies, not only in Manila, but also in Cebu.”

“We know majority of the travelling public have been looking forward to travel internationally again, especially since a lot of countries have eased their restrictions.”

“We continue to work towards the expansion of our international network while we maintain operating over 100% of our pre-pandemic domestic capacity.”

An all-Airbus fleet

As at March 2022, Cebu Pacific operated an all-Airbus fleet, with deliveries of the new A321XLR set to arrive from 2024.

As part of the airline’s fleet upgrade program, the older A320-200 aircraft are to be retired.

Cebu Pacific serves 36 domestic destinations and 26 international destinations in 16 countries through the Asia Pacific region. The airline supports the most extensive domestic route network in the Philippines.