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Starting Wednesday, the Philippines will be a little closer
to Indonesia with the arrival of a new budget airline, Cebu Pacific
Air, serving the Jakarta-Manila route direct three times a week.
The Manila-based airline marks its first direct flight Wednesday from
Jakarta to Manila. By comparison, Cebu Pacific's rival, national
carrier Philippines Airlines, has a transit stop in Singapore.
Lance Gokongwei, CEB president and CEO of Cebu Pacific Air said: "We
are proud to be the only Filipino carrier operating a direct
Manila-Jakarta service. Furthermore, we will be the only airline
offering a direct, non-stop service."
Back in 1996 when it was first launched, Cebu Pacific Air only served
local destinations. In 2001, it opened its first international routes
to Hong Kong, Singapore and Korea, though it was not until late 2006
that its Jakarta service was launched.
With fares as low as Rp 1,770,400 net for a round trip between Jakarta
and Manila, Cebu Pacific Air is hoping to do a brisk trade.
"We hope that our trademark low fares will further stimulate business
and leisure travel to and from this destination because this will
benefit the economies of both countries," Gokongwei told The Jakarta
Post.
Cebu Pacific Air's marketing director Candice A. Iyog added, "We are
flying more and many people are flying for the first time. Gone are the
days when flying was the mode of transportation of the elite."
From the capital city Manila, Indonesians can catch connecting flights
to 20 destinations within the Philippines, including Boracay, Bohol and
Cagayan de Oro, which offer marine life, diving, nightlife and
adventure. All these exciting destinations can be booked at
www.cebupacificair.com.
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