Cebu Pacific starts Davao flights to Kalibo, P. Princesa

TWO of the most popular tourist destinations in the country are now within easy reach for Dabawenyos with the opening of Cebu Pacific's new flights from Davao to Puerto Princesa, and Kalibo, Aklan.

Both routes will be four times weekly every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, utilizing the budget carrier's brand new Airbus A320 aircraft fleet.

"With fares up to 55 percent lower, these direct flights will make Davao even more accessible to foreign and local tourists and just in time for Davao's popular Kadayawan festival," said Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and distribution.

Iyog, during yesterday's inaugural flight ceremony at the pre-departure area of the Davao International Airport, said the 170 passenger load out of the 180 seats in the maiden flight to Puerto Princesa is a proof that there is so much hope and interest in the beautiful city of Palawan.
The Davao-Kalibo maiden flight with 100 passengers is also a good load, she added.

The new Davao-Puerto Princesa flights leave at 1:40 p.m. and arrive at Puerto Princesa at 3:20 p.m.

Davao-Kalibo flights are at 1:50 p.m. and arrive in Kalibo at 7:10 p.m.
Kalibo-Davao flights will be on the same days, leaving Kalibo at 11:50 a.m. while the flights from Puerto Princesa to Davao will be on the same days at 3:50 p.m.

Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, in her message read by Davao City investment and Promotion Center officer in charge Jason Magnaye, lauded Cebu Pacific for pushing growth through trade and commerce through air linkage with Aklan and Palawan.

"The opening of new flights to Kalibo and Puerto Princesa comes at a very opportune time when the city celebrates Kadayawan Sa Dabaw festival come August 17-19. This is a new development in support to the city's growing tourism industry as it opens a corridor to major new markets," she said.

"We look forward with much anticipation to eventual opening of new flights that will also directly connect Davao City to other major international gateways such as China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, among others" the mayor's message read.

Meanwhile, Department of Tourism 11 regional director Art Boncato congratulated the country's largest airline for another milestone.

"Cebu Pacific makes it happen for all of us by connecting Dabawenyos to other parts of the country," Boncato said.

Iyog said it is one of Cebu Pacific's priorities to help make Davao even more accessible to domestic and international travelers by offering even more connectivity options through air travel, with their low fare, and great value proposition.

This is why later this year, Iyog said, that on October 5 this year, the airline will be launching a four weekly flights from Davao to Butuan, and four weekly flights from Davao to Dipolog, and Tacloban to Iloilo.

Cebu Pacific is also slated to launch the folowing flights: October 4 (Cebu-Coron, Tacloban-Legazpi); and October 20 (Cagayan de Oro-Zamboanga).
"You continuous support has enabled us to become the largest airline in the Philippines in terms of passengers and seat capacity," she said adding that the airline flew close to 12 million passengers in 2011 to 19 international destinations and 32 local destinations.

"There will be a lot of expansion in Visayas and Mindanao. We are always looking at Davao City as an international hub," she added.

Iyog also announced the delivery of three Airbus A320 in 2012, seven A320 aircrafts in June 2013; and two more A320 in late 2013. This is in preparation for the long-haul services that is slated to begin in the third quarter of next year.

"With Cebu Pacific's expansion, the Philippines will become even more accessible to more travelers. We are committed to being a partner in nation building by making tourism an even more vibrant sector," Iyog added.