Cebu Pacific wants to launch flights to New Zealand

MANILA, Philippines – Budget carrier Cebu Air Inc (Cebu Pacific) may soon add another route to its network of 24 international destinations – New Zealand.  

Cebu Pacific has lodged an application before the Civil Aeronautics Board to be allowed to launch 7 weekly direct flights to New Zealand. 

This comes a month after the signing of an air pact that would increase the frequency of flights between the Philippines and New Zealand to 21 flights per week from the current 3 flights per week.  

The development is the latest in Cebu Pacific’s efforts to expand its services after the Philippines regained its Category 1 aviation status, and after the European Union lifted the ban imposed on the airline. 

Cebu Pacific is in the midst of $4 billion refleeting operations that aim to acquire 50 aircrafts between 2013 and 2021, in addition to its current fleet of 51 Airbus aircrafts. 

Aside from New Zealand, Cebu Pacific is also eyeing additional flights to the United States and Europe. 

Cebu Pacific president Lance Gokongwei said the airline is looking at launching flights to London, Paris and Amesterdam in Europe and Hawaii and Guam in the US – Rappler.com