THE European Union yesterday lifted the ban on Cebu Pacific flying to Europe, just hours after the US Federal Aviation Authority upgraded the Philippines’ status from Category 2 to 1 (TTG Asia e-Daily, April 10, 2014).
This double aviation victory means that like Philippine Airlines, which was allowed to return to Europe last July, Cebu Pacific can now fly longhaul to both Europe and the US after the safety issues have been addressed.
Cebu Pacific president Lance Gokongwei said the airline would fly to the two continents within the year, eyeing Guam, Saipan and Hawaii in the US while still studying the routes in Europe.
Cebu Pacific will purchase 50 additional aircraft until 2021 for the US and European expansion, added Gokongwei.
Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines president, Ramon Ang, said the legacy carrier would return to New York within the year without precluding other East Coast cities, in addition to its 26 weekly flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu and Guam.
Ang said PAL would “deploy our modern and fuel-efficient Boeing 777-300ER fleet to the US” and “explore new destination opportunities in one of the Philippines’ largest passenger markets”.
The travel trade welcomes the landmark lifting of the ban as crucial to improving the Philippines’ connectivity and accessibility.
AA Yaptinchay, general manager of Kirschner Travel Manila, said: “Not only could we fly in more visitors with better schedules, but also the presence of airlines from the Philippines would mean visibility and promotions to new markets in Europe and the US.”
