Budget carrier Cebu Pacific is preparing to launch a new service connecting Shanghai and Cebu with a one-peso base fare offer.
The new route’s maiden flight will be on April 15, and those booking before next Saturday (March 30) can take advantage of the cut-price seat offer. The promotion applies to flights up to September 30.
The new Shanghai route is part of the budget carrier’s plans to ramp-up capacity at its Cebu hub by as much as 20 per cent this year.
The new service will will run six times a week, from Monday to Saturday.
Candice Iyog, the airline’s Vice President for Marketing and Distribution, said: “We want to provide more international connections from our other hubs in the Philippines, and by connecting our Cebu hub to Shanghai, we offer travellers from China a compelling and easy option to access another top vacation destination.”
China is the fastest-growing tourism market of the Philippines, with destinations such as Cebu and neighbouring islands among the most popular.
Last year, the Central Visayas — which also covers Bohol, Dumaguete and Siquijor, welcomed more than eight million tourists, of which 17 per cent were Chinese.
Shanghai is growing tourism venue
However, at just under four hours’ flying time, the airline also hopes to open up the Chinese city as a tourist destination for Filipinos.
Ms Iyog said: “Shanghai is improving international tourist experience, and by connecting our Cebu hub to Shanghai in China, we offer travellers from Cebu and beyond a compelling option to access another top vacation destination.”
Cebu’s airport also serves as a hub to explore other areas of the Philippines, with flights to Siargao, Camiguin, Puerto Princesa and 19 other domestic destinations. The arrival and departure times of the Shanghai flight will allow passengers to and from many of these destinations to make seamless connections.
As well as Shanghai, the budget carrier also connects Cebu with Hong Kong, Macau, Narita, Japan, Incheon, Korea, and Singapore.
Cebu Pacific also operates out of seven other hubs in the Philippines, namely Manila, Clark, Kalibo, Iloilo, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao.
On an average week last year, it flew 20.3 million passengers on 2,130 flights across 37 domestic and 26 international destinations.
For details of the Shanghai seat sale, click here.
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