Cebu Pacific plans long-haul flights

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

MANILA -- Low-cost airline Cebu Air Inc. said it will capitalize on trips made by millions of Filipino overseas workers by launching long-haul flights to the Middle East, Australia and the U.S. by mid-2013.

The airline’s president and chief executive officer Lance Gokongwei told reporters Tuesday that they will lease up to eight Airbus A330-300 aircraft to serve the new markets.

Popularly known as Cebu Pacific, the airline flies more passengers than the country's flag carrier Philippine Airlines and holds half of the domestic market.

By starting long-haul flights, it will follow in the footsteps of Malaysia's budget carrier AirAsia X.

Gokongwei said they will offer the lowest fares possible.

Cebu Pacific currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 19 Airbus A320 and eight ATR-72 500 aircraft. (AP)