Cebu Pacific flies to Dubai

MANILA, Philippines – The first long-haul flight of low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific, owned by the Gokongwei family, left Manila Monday afternoon, October 7, for Dubai.

Cebu Pacific president and CEO Lance Gokongwei told Dubai-bound passengers that the budget airline is “the first Philippine carrier to land in Dubai in 15 years.”

It is also the first Philippine budget airline to mount a direct flight to a destination that is more than 4 hours away.

Read: Cebu Pacific’s first long-haul flight: Dubai

Cebu Pacific offers up to 35% lower fares for this route compared to other airlines. The lowest year-round fares start at P4,999.

Flying OFWs

Mounting 7 weekly, 9-hour flights to Dubai, Cebu Pacific is proud to carry the Philippine flag in such a “historic moment.”

“When we say we fly to where Filipinos are, we mean it. This was our mindset when we launched our first international flight to Hong Kong in 2001. This remains our mindset as we launch our 22nd international destination now,” Gokongwei added.

According to data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, the United Arab of Emirates has the second-highest number of new Filipino hires and rehires, next only to Saudi Arabia.

Read: First look: Long-haul, budget flights of Cebu Pacific 

Strong fleet

Cebu Pacific is using its newly delivered Airbus A330 for the Manila-Dubai route.

Its 47-strong fleet – among the most modern in the world – consists of 10 Airbus A319s, 27 Airbus A320s, 2 Airbus A330s and 8 ATR-72 500s.

Cebu Pacific flies to 34 domestic and 22 international destinations coming from 6 Philippine hubs. Among these destinations are Boracay, Cebu and Palawan, and Bali, Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Osaka, Seoul and Singapore. – Rappler.com